Jim Thorpe: This Athlete Was a True Champion

Jim Thorpe was recently named “Athlete of the Century”, by ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Despite his small beginnings he rose to become the greatest athlete America has ever seen. He rose to great fame and glory but, had it all taken away from him. His life is a story of triumph and tragedy.

Jim Thorpe was born on May 22, 1887 on an Indian Reservation in Prague, Oklahoma. His family was of the Thunder Clan of the Sac and Fox Tribe. His early years are marked by tragedy. Thorpe’s twin brother died of pneumonia when he was eight. Both of Thorpe’s parents died during his teenage years. He was born a great athlete; however he did not become involved in competitive athletics until he went to college. While a boy he would run the 20 miles home from school on a regular basis and he said, “I was never content unless trying my skill against my fellow playmates or testing my endurance and wits against a member of the animal kingdom”. At age 20 Jim Thorpe left Oklahoma for Carlisle College for Native Americans, in Pennsylvania.

Jim Thorpe’s athletic career began when he saw several members of Carlisle’s track team unable to clear the bar, set at 5-9, despite wearing heavy overalls Thorpe easily cleared the bar and Carlisle’s track coach signed him up. Thorpe enjoyed a stellar career for the Carlisle Track team. He almost single-handedly beat track powerhouse Lafayette by winning 6 events, it was a huge upset. Over the summers of 1909 and 1910 Thorpe played minor league ball in Pennsylvania for two dollars a game, which violated his amateur status. This decision would later come back to haunt him. Thorpe also starred for the Carlisle football team. He was All-American at halfback, defense, kicker and punter. He booted five field goals in Carlisle’s 18-15 upset over Harvard.