He had been married three times in his lifetime and from the three marriages, he had eight children. To me he was the greatest football player that it has ever been my pleasure to know and one of the greatest athletes the world has ever produced. He also won a classic pentathlon in the same summer Olympics in 1912. Jim Thorpe, byname of James Francis Thorpe, (born May 28, 1888, near Prague, Indian Territory [now in Oklahoma], U.S.died March 28, 1953, Lomita, California), one of the most accomplished all-around athletes in history who in 1950 was selected by American sportswriters and broadcasters as the greatest American athlete and the greatest gridiron football player of the first half of the 20th century. He attended Morgan State University . What places Thorpe in that conversation, still and, yes, he should be there is something more than his incredible skills. It was a hard upbringing during which he was sent away to school (and ran away from school) several times. Thorpe began his athletic career at Carlisle in 1907 when he walked past the track and beat all the school's high jumpers with an impromptu 5-ft 9-in jump still in street clothes. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jim-thorpe-3895.php. Fewer still know the amazing back story of Jim Thorpe, a man who defied grinding poverty, hardship, and overwhelming odds to become a World Champion. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped Thorpe of his Gold Medals, blatantly breaking their own bylaws of taking action against him many months beyond their legal deadline. Thorpe was honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City as part of his heros welcome home. MARANISS: Well, he didn't have a plan. He was born into the tribe of the Sac and Fox. Jacobus Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk): Wa-Tho-Huk, translated to Bright Path) (May 28, 1888 - March 28, 1953) was an American athlete of mixed ancestry (mixed Caucasian and American Indian). The Associated Press named him the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century in 1950, and the following year he was portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the film Jim Thorpe All-American. He was working on the farm at Carlisle and walked by the track and saw the high jumpers trying to clear 6 feet, none of them successfully doing it. "My earning days in athletics are at an end and while sports have been my livelihood, I have really played for the love of competition.. But my point of writing the book was try to use Jim Thorpe as an emblem for the Native American experience. And it's the latest in a long line of celebrated biographies written by Maraniss, which include bestselling profiles of Barack Obama, baseball great Roberto Clemente and Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. The 6ft 1-inch tall athlete won 2 Olympic gold medals for the United States of America in the year 1912. But the general - the point of them was to rid them of their pure culture. Jim Thorpe, byname of James Francis Thorpe, (born May 28, 1888, near Prague, Indian Territory [now in Oklahoma], U.S.died March 28, 1953, Lomita, California), one of the most accomplished all-around athletes in history who in 1950 was selected by American sportswriters and broadcasters as the greatest American athlete and the greatest gridiron . But, more recent research reveals a far more complicated and less dark story. But Jim Thorpe did not have such a great plan. Jims medals and the jeweled gold trophy the King of Sweden gave him at the Olympics were quickly returned. Deborah's soon-to-be released historical novel, BLOOD TO RUBIES weaves indigenous and pioneer history, strong women and clashing worlds into a sweeping saga praised by NYT bestselling authors as "crushing," "rhapsodic," "gritty," and "sensuous." But his official status remained unchangedthat is, until yesterday, Friday, July 15, 2022. However, a newspaper report the following January revealed that the Olympic champion had been paid to play minor league baseball in 1909 and 1910. Was there something you felt had to be told? Later, when Brundage was Olympics President (1952-1972), he zealously prevented Thorpe from being reinstated as the rightful winner of his two Gold Medals. He was noticed during the trials due to his all-round ability. With a Bachelor's in English and Master's in Journalism from the University of Iowa, she taught students of Iowa's Writer's Workshop, then at Northwestern University, Marquette and Mount Mary. Jim Thorpe won several medals. In 1983, decades after his death, his Medals were re-minted, but he was declared a co-winner with his runner-up. 167,345 views / 3,839 likes / 364 comments. Although he was, by nature, a happy, optimistic man, many biographers characterized his later years as poverty stricken, alcoholic and broken, all common stereotypes of Native Americans. Thorpes children fought to have him interred at his birthplace and the battle ended in the Supreme Court in 2015, which ruled in favor of the Pennsylvania burial site. Predominantly of American Indian (Sauk and Fox) descent, Thorpe attended Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas, and Carlisle (Pennsylvania) Indian Industrial School. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. All rights reserved. It's more than that he had a huge hand in getting America's favorite sport, professional football, off the ground and running. Some might argue, more than a century later, that he still is. Ed Longabaum, Dick Ben, Fred Griffiths, Charley Irwin, John O' Day, Herb Hoover, Charley Upham, Judge Harter, Ed Bender, Clarence Herbruck, and sportsman like Ollie Renkert, Mark Lathrop, Bill Steel, John Quinn, Tip Hiner, Frank Lippert, Lloyd Noaker, Jack Cusack, Ralph Hay, Les Higgins, and countless names like that came along to this community a little later. Also in 1912 Thorpe won the decathlon and the pentathlon by wide margins at the Olympic Games in Stockholm, but in 1913 an investigation by the Amateur Athletic Union showed that he had played semiprofessional baseball in 1909 and 1910, which should have disqualified him from Olympic competition. And in each case, I'm looking for two things. Obviously, it can be a tough transition even if you've got all the support and planning imaginable. Difficult Upbringing James Francis Thorpe was born on May 22 (or May 28 according to some records) 1887 near Prague, Oklahoma. He became depressed after his mother died while he was still young and left home after arguing with his father; however, he returned to his father when he was 16 and resumed his education at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Jim Thorpe, a Native American of the Sac-Fox nation, was an Olympic champion track star and an amazing athlete who played professional baseball, basketball and football. Photo unattributed Wikimedia Commons. He won two Gold Medals at the 1912 Summer Olympics held at Stockholm, one each in the events Pentathlon and Decathlon. Omissions? A Victorian marvel in Jim Thorpe would be the Asa Packer Mansion. Earl told me that if I took more than a minute and a half, he would ring the bell. Photo unattributed Wikimedia Commons. This included riding a horse, knowing how to hunt, and setting a trap. With Thorpes disqualification, Brundage gained significant athletic statue and monetary gains for his business and replaced Thorpe as the U.S. National All-Around Champion. Jim became the star of the track team, the baseball team, the hockey team, the basketball team, the lacrosse team, and he was even excellent at ballroom dancing. He was considered one of the most versatile athletes in the modern world. MARANISS: Well, I did. He also played professional baseball and, though he wasn't considered quite as good at that sport, he steadily improved over a six-year career, mostly with the New York Giants. But his status has never been restored as the rightful sole winner of the two most revered gold medals of the Olympicsan injustice that remains to this day. Here are the top unbelievable facts about Jim Thorpe, Jim Thorpe participated in Olympics in 1912. He was raised according to native Indian customs. But his status has never been restored as the rightful, "Jim Thorpe: The Greatest Athlete in History" was first published on Facebook and. That's grown consistently ever since. While Thorpe's exploits tend to be exaggerated with the passing years, there is no question he was superb in every way. I never knew a football player who could penetrate a line as Thorpe could, nor did I ever know of a player who could see holes through which to break as could the big Indian. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. One of his earliest coaches was the football legend, Glenn Pop Warner who helped to mould the youngster into a formidable competitor. Thorpe's Native American name was Wa-Tho-Huk, roughly translated as "Bright Path." The legendary football coach Glenn Pop Warner noticed his abilities and coached him. He was inventive, innovative. In the earliest part of the 20th century, when golf, horse racing, boxing and baseball ruled the sporting universe, Jim Thorpe (1887-1953) emerged as maybe the greatest athlete the world had ever known. His second wife was Freeda Kirkpatrick who worked as a manager of the baseball team he played for. On his way to an intramural baseball game, dressed in overalls, a twill shirt, and borrowed shoes, he stops to watch varsity high jumpers fail in their attempts at a height of 5 . We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,.css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}contact us! You don't ever bet against that. He quickly became a cultural icon, representing triumph over adversity and victory against all odds. And, you know, to - you know, I try to look at the complexity of life. Not only was he skilled but also the most versatile athlete the world has ever known. Jim Thorpes body structure was strong, athletic; however, he was not very tall. Many know that he was one of the greatest athletes that ever lived, many say THE greatest. Fewer know that he was Native and born on a reservation and became the first American Indian to win Olympic Gold Medals. He had never tried the sport before! His earliest track and field results were also recorded in 1907 at Carlisle Indian School. GONYEA: So he's a student at Carlisle, and that really is where the world started to take notice of his amazing athletic gifts. Thorpe was reinstated as the sole winner of the two events in 2022. People may know that name for the youth football leagues named after him to this day across America. Thorpe died from heart failure on 28 March 1953. At one point, he was digging ditches in Los Angeles during the heat of the Depression. Jim Thorpe did not like school as much as Charlie enjoyed attending school. But where Jim would make his mark in college was in football. Only 30 years after the last Indian had been exiled to reservations in America, in 1912, Jim Thorpe mesmerized the world at the Stockholm Olympics and won the two most difficult Olympic events that would define him as the worlds greatest all-around athlete: The Decathlon (10 sports) and the Pentathlon (5 sports). Quote Of The Day | Top 100 Quotes, See the events in life of Jim Thorpe in Chronological Order, (American Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist). They had four sons and divorced in 1941. Accuracy and availability may vary. I refer to men here who have done so much for this city, who have been engaged in so many different lines of business and endeavor. He suffered his greatest injustice after he had won his gold medals at the 1912 Olympics. Jim Thorpe was a great man, a keen competitor, who today gives me the greatest honor which has ever been bestowed on this "old mill mam. Jim Thorpe was a friend. Above all, Jim Thorpe enjoyed playing while in the outdoors. We won't see his likes again.". Most of the world know his name. His newest book is called "Path Lit By Lightning: The Life Of Jim Thorpe." Jim Thorpe was a native American. He was the first Native American to earn an Olympic gold medal at the 1912 games in Stockholm, Sweden, winning first place in the decathlon and pentathlon. And it was because of Jim Thorpe. He sold the rights to his story to Hollywood to make a movie about him. On his fathers deathbed, Hiram Thorpes dying words would give Jim more strength: Son, youre an Indian. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the, There is a mistake in the text of this quote. Jim was born a twin, but at age nine, his brother, Charlie, died of pneumonia. GONYEA: You clarified a lot of my misconceptions with that part of the book. Jim Thorpe was born circa May 28, 1887, near current-day Prague, Oklahoma. It features 27 cells, a warden's house, a basement dungeon, and more within the structure. The larger sense is that the narrator of the movie was the aforementioned Pop Warner. Photo by Revmoran Wikimedia Commons. And there was a thunderstorm that night. Share Jim Thorpe quotes about nfl and athlete. There, Jim Thorpes body remains, in a town he had never visited in life and that had no ties to him, apart from wanting to capitalize on his name. Jim Thorpe. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. His unassuming and modest manner, quiet honesty and dignity made him an even more sympathetic hero. This was a sad state for Jim, but his dad was determined that he gets an education. He struggled to make ends meet during his final years and became a victim to alcoholism which ruined his health and well being. The concrete records of his achievements date from 1907. Her extensive publishing career began at Better Homes & Gardens, includes credits in New York Times Magazine, New York Times, Connoisseur, many other titles, and serving as publisher of The Writer's Handbook. GONYEA: Carlisle is the place where Thorpe meets his most famous coach, Pop Warner. He could pass and catch passes with the best, punt long distances and kick field goals either by dropkick or placekick. In the earliest part of the 20th century, when golf, horse racing, boxing and baseball ruled the sporting universe, Jim Thorpe (1887-1953) emerged as maybe the greatest athlete the world had ever known. Coordinates: 405223N 754411W Jim Thorpe is a borough and the county seat of Carbon County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. DAVID MARANISS: I love being with you, Don. The fate of Jims childhood haunts and the burial of his own remains is perhaps the ultimate metaphor for his experience as an Indian in America: even in death, the Carlisle School was taken over by the U.S. Army that had spent decades destroying Native culture. Jim was born Wa-Tho-Huk, meaning Bright Path. His name would prove fortuitous; about two decades later as a young man, he would blaze a trail of world-shattering athletic records in the Olympics, then later in several professional sports. The athletes seemed to believe in him because he was putting on his work clothes when he asked for an opportunity to do the high jump. I give 'em the hip, then I take it away. Of mixed French, Irish, and Sac and Fox Indian heritage, Thorpe was born in a one-room cabin in Oklahoma, but when he was sixteen his father sent him to the Carlisle Institute, a school for Indian youth. For local insights and insiders travel tips that you wont find anywhere else, search any keywords in the top right-hand toolbar on this page. Mr. Toastmaster and Mr. President our friend Earl Schreiber and that boy who will have to do all of the work with Dick McCann, I certainly am pleased to be called upon to say something to this audience in Canton, Ohio. Deborah Hufford is an award-winning author and magazine editor with a passion for history. Prague, Lincoln County, Oklahoma, USA. Thorpe began his athletic career at Carlisle in 1907 when he walked past the track and beat all the school's high jumpers with an impromptu 5-ft 9-in jump still in street clothes. Born to parents of European and Native American heritage, Thorpe was raised in Indian Territory what is now Oklahoma as a member of the Sac and Fox tribe. He undertook odd jobs to support seven children from two marriages, and a growing drinking habit led to a second divorce, in 1941. This visit today brings Jim's name to mind immediately. It was not until the year after Brundage died that the Olympics Committee finally reminted Thorpes Medals (the originals were stolen after Thorpe had returned them to the Olympics Committee) and gave them to Thorpes surviving sons. Thank you. He was subsequently deprived of his gold medals. But the truth behind the man makes his feat even more heroic. Growing up, Thorpe displayed a natural inclination towards . So it was Pop Warner the white savior and, you know, not realizing that it was Pop Warner at the critical moment of Jim Thorpe's life who had turned against him when he lost his gold medals. Finishing the three-day event with a total of 8,412.95 points (of a possible 10,000), a mark that bested the runner-up by nearly 700 points, Thorpe was proclaimed by Swedens King Gustaf V to be the greatest athlete in the world. And persistence was what defined him, not tragedy. I never was content unless I was trying my skillor testing my endurance. The importance of the game one in which a school of Indians faced off against a team filled with the sons and grandsons of the soldiers who killed thousands of Indians and forced them from their homelands was not lost on anyone there. http://www.moiraproductions.com/THORPE/about/giants.html. Jim Thorpe was the greatest all-around athlete of the Deadball Era. Photo by Steven C. Price Wikimedia Commons. sports. His parents were of mixed ancestry. ABCs Wide World of Sports produced a 2000 biopic about him and Wheaties honored his athletic career on their box cover. Photo unattributed Wikimedia Commons. Jim Thorpe had an interesting childhood. The myth grew, even as the reality of his life became rawer.". His mere presence moved pro football a giant step forward in the publics estimation. Nor sooner than later, Jim was the star of the football team. It was famous for its football team, the Carlisle Indians, which regularly beat the best Ivy League, military, and Big Ten college teams of the East. When he arrived at the office, Pop told Jim that he had broken the track team school record. Jim Thorpe, however, proved them wrong when he was able to run up the bar and jump right over it. And it had an Indian stooped on horseback. What doesn't kill you not only make you stronger, but also more honest. But life was not always kind to him. Native Americans figured out how to survive in a system that was geared against them.