JIM THORPE
Name: Jim Thorpe
Born: May 28, 1888 Prague, Oklahoma
Died: March 28, 1953 Lomita, California
James Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was an American athlete.
Considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals in the
pentathlon and decathlon, played American football collegiately and
professionally, and also played professional baseball and basketball. He
subsequently lost his Olympic titles when it was found he had played two seasons
of minor league baseball before competing in the games (thus violating the
amateur status rules). In 1978, Thorpe was given his own national holiday, which
is still celebrated on May 28.
Thorpe was of mixed Native American and white ancestry. He was raised as a Sac
and Fox, and named Wa-Tho-Huk, roughly translated as "Bright Path". He struggled
with racism throughout much of his life and his accomplishments were publicized
with headlines describing him as a "Redskin" and "Indian athlete". He also
played on several All-American Indian teams throughout his career and
barnstormed as a professional basketball player with a team composed entirely of
Native Americans.
Thorpe was named the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century
by the Associated Press (AP) in 1950, and ranked third on the AP list of
athletes of the century in 1999. After his professional sports career ended,
Thorpe lived in abject poverty. He worked several odd jobs, struggled with
alcoholism, and lived out the last years of his life in failing health. In 1983,
thirty years after his death, his medals were restored.
Name: Jim Thorpe
Born: May 28, 1888 Prague, Oklahoma
Died: March 28, 1953 Lomita, California
James Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) was an American athlete.
Considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals in the
pentathlon and decathlon, played American football collegiately and
professionally, and also played professional baseball and basketball. He
subsequently lost his Olympic titles when it was found he had played two seasons
of minor league baseball before competing in the games (thus violating the
amateur status rules). In 1978, Thorpe was given his own national holiday, which
is still celebrated on May 28.
Thorpe was of mixed Native American and white ancestry. He was raised as a Sac
and Fox, and named Wa-Tho-Huk, roughly translated as "Bright Path". He struggled
with racism throughout much of his life and his accomplishments were publicized
with headlines describing him as a "Redskin" and "Indian athlete". He also
played on several All-American Indian teams throughout his career and
barnstormed as a professional basketball player with a team composed entirely of
Native Americans.
Thorpe was named the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century
by the Associated Press (AP) in 1950, and ranked third on the AP list of
athletes of the century in 1999. After his professional sports career ended,
Thorpe lived in abject poverty. He worked several odd jobs, struggled with
alcoholism, and lived out the last years of his life in failing health. In 1983,
thirty years after his death, his medals were restored.