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Jim Thorpe

Page history last edited by cowboywade 14 years, 4 months ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAME: James Francis Thorpe ( Jim Thorpe )

 

Date of birth : according to his estate May 28,1887. 

 

Place of birth: Prague, Oklahoma.

Native name; Wa-Tho-Huk "Bright Path"

 

 

    Jim was born to a farmer, Hiram Thorpe and Mary James who was a Pottawatomie Native. Jim was born a twin, but his brother who's name was Charlie died at the age of nine.

 

     Thorpe attended school at Carlisle Industrial Indian School in Pennsylvania in 1904. Thorpe started his athletic career playing football and running track while attending Carlisle. He was picked as a third-team All- American in 1908. In 1909 and 1910 he made the first team. It was football legend Glenn " Pop" Warner who coached Jim at Carlisle and was able to see Thorpe excel in his excellence with athletics.

 

    In 1912 at the age of 24, Thorpe competed in his first Olympic Games held in Antwerp Belgium. He beat -out all competition in both the decathlon and the pentathlon and Set records that would not be beat for decades. It is stated in Bob Bertina's " Jim Thorpe Sac and Fox Athlete " that King Gustav V presented Thorpe with his gold medals and before Thorpe walked away the King took Thorpe's hand in his and said "Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world". Thorpe's reply..."Thanks King".

 

    In 1913 his gold medals and records had been removed due to the fact that he had played two semi-pro seasons of baseball. Even though Thorpe stated that he played for the love of the game and not for the money , the decision was made.

 

    Thorpe went on to play baseball for the New York Giants then later in 1917 with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1919 he ended his final season playing baseball with the Boston Braves.

 

  Thorpe also played football. Playing for the Canton Bulldogs from 1915-1920 and the Cleveland Indians in 1920. He also played and coached an all Native American team. Thorpe played with six different pro- football teams during his career. He ended his career in 1929 with the Chicago Cardinals.

 

    Thorpe was also a key player in forming the American Professional Football Association. He eventually became president and through the years it became what we no know as the NFL.

 

    In 1950 the Associated Press named Thorpe " the greatest American Football player" and the "greatestoverall male athlete". Bestowing two monumental honors upon him.

 

   Thorpe died March 28 1953 of a heart attack. His medals were awarded back to him in 1982 and his name was put back in the record books.

   In 1996-2001 Thorpe was awarded aBC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbMgZs0l

 

   For more information on Jim Thorpe visit:

http://www.answers.com/topics/jimthorpe

 

http://www.infoplease.com/biography.php3?waif=jim+thorpe&go.x=8&go.y=5

 

 

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