Jim Thorpe

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Jim Thorpe is known as one of the world’s greatest athletes of his time — as an Olympic champion and professional football legend.

A statue of Jim Thorpe stands at the entrance to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The inscription on the statue reads, “Jim Thorpe was named first team Walter Camp All American in 1911 and 1912. He won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics, played professional baseball and in 1920 was elected the first president of what became the National Football League. He was the first great performer of that league, its highest paid player, both the precursor and prototype of the weapons of modern football.”

Jim Thorpe in the late 1910s or early 1920s.

Thorpe’s athletic achievements at the collegiate level were at the Carlisle Indian Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which competed against the major universities of the time. On a return to Carlisle in 1941, Thorpe stood in the middle of the field and drop-kicked a football over the goal. He then turned and place-kicked a field goal over the other end zone — at the age of 52 and wearing street shoes.

Besides his accomplishments in football, he was a one-man track team and excelled in basketball, lacrosse, baseball and all other sports he attempted. He also won a national ballroom dancing contest.

He was voted the greatest football player and the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century. He was also voted “Athlete of the Century” by a poll at the end of the century hosted by ABC.

Sports historian Murray Olderman called him the “greatest all-around athlete in the history of sports, dating back to Coreobus of Elis in the eighth century before the birth of Christ.”

Football will never see another Thorpe. The two or more platoon system produces defensive players who don’t know how to carry the ball or famous offensive players who don’t know how to block or tackle. There’s been only one all time All-American football player and his name is Jim Thorpe . . . He blocked with his shoulder and it felt like he hit you with a 4×4.

—Jim Wood, Rochester Jeffersons

He was a great defensive player—if he hit you from behind, he’d throw that big body across your back and damn near break you in two.

—George Halas, Chicago Bears

As one who played against him in football more than 40 years ago, I personally feel no other athlete possessed his all around abilities in games and sports…

—Dwight D. Eisenhower

He was the best natural athlete ever. No matter what sport he turned to, he was a magnificent performer. He had all the strength, speed and coordination of the finest players plus incredible stamina. His memory should be kept for what it deserves—that of the greatest all around athlete of our time.

—New York Times

• Personal information
• Date of birth: May 28, 1888
• Place of birth: Prague, Oklahoma
• Date of death: March 28, 1953 (age 64)
• Place of death: Lomita, California
• Height: 6 ft 2 in
• Weight: 182 lb
• Career information
• Position: Back
• College: Carlisle Indian
• Jersey number: 31, 2, 1
• Career highlights
• All-Pro selection (1923)
• NFL 1920s All-Decade Team
• Stats
• • Database Football (player)
• • Database Football (coach)
• • College Football Hall of Fame
• • Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1963
• Team(s) as player
• • 1915-1917 Canton Bulldogs;lkj;lkj;lkjl;kjl;jlkjlkjl;kjl;jlkjl
• • 1919-1920 Canton Bulldogs
• • 1921 Cleveland Indians
• • 1922-23 Oorang Indians
• • 1924 Rock Island Independents
• • 1925 New York Giants
• • 1925 Rock Island Independents
• • 1926 Tampa Cardinals
• • 1926 Canton Bulldogs
• • 1928 Chicago Cardinals
• —Information from Wikipedia.com—Jim Thorpe on Wikipedia