Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was an American professional athlete, born on May 28, 1887, in Prague, Oklahoma. He is widely regarded as one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, excelling in professional football, baseball, and track and field. Thorpe began his professional career in 1909 with the Rocky Mount Railroaders for baseball before moving to Canton Bulldogs in 1915 for football, where he led the team to multiple championships.

Thorpe is known for his incredible speed, strength, agility, and versatility. He was named the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century by the Associated Press (AP), and his legacy in sports continues to be celebrated today.

Off the field, Thorpe faced numerous personal struggles, including poverty and racial discrimination, but his athletic achievements continue to inspire athletes worldwide.

Rocky Mount Railroaders

• Early Career: Thorpe started his professional career in baseball with the Rocky Mount Railroaders in 1909.

Canton Bulldogs

• Football Success: Thorpe signed with the Canton Bulldogs in 1915. He led the team to several championships, and his performances drew significant attention, contributing to the growth of professional football in the United States.

New York Giants

• Baseball Career: Thorpe played professional baseball for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves from 1913 to 1919. Despite his athletic prowess, he had a mixed career in baseball with modest success.

Olympic Achievements

• 1912 Stockholm Olympics: Thorpe won two gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, setting world records in both events. However, his medals were stripped after officials learned he had played professional baseball before the Olympics, which violated amateurism rules at the time. His medals were posthumously reinstated in 1983.

• Position: Primarily a halfback in football, outfielder in baseball, and a versatile track and field athlete.
• Skills: Known for his incredible speed, strength, and agility. Thorpe excelled in multiple sports and is celebrated for his versatility and endurance.

• Family: Thorpe was married three times and had eight children.
• Later Life: Thorpe struggled with poverty and alcoholism in his later years. He worked in several jobs, including as a construction worker and movie extra, and died in poverty in 1953.

• Jim Thorpe is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his resilience in the face of adversity. His impact on sports and his status as an icon extend beyond the field, inspiring millions of athletes around the world.

Greatest Athlete of the First Half of the 20th Century:

• Named by the Associated Press

Pro Football Hall of Fame:

• Inducted in 1963

U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame:

• Inducted in 1983

Books

• Buford, B. (2012) Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
• Wheeler, R. (1979) Jim Thorpe: World's Greatest Athlete. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press.

Websites

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Information about Jim Thorpe’s football career and achievements. Available at: https://www.profootballhof.com
• Biography: Details about Thorpe’s life and career. Available at: https://www.biography.com
• ESPN: Updates and records of Thorpe in various sports competitions. Available at: https://www.espn.com

Articles

• Sports Illustrated: Jim Thorpe’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.si.com
• The New York Times: Jim Thorpe’s life and achievements. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com

Documentaries

• Jim Thorpe: The World's Greatest Athlete (2010): Directed by Tom Weidlinger. This documentary provides a detailed look at Thorpe’s life and career.