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Jim Thorpe. Athlete of the Century. Jim Thorpe. Born: May 28, 1887 Oklahoma – Indian Territory Died: March 28, 1953 Tribe: Sac and Fox. Name. James Francis Thorpe Native name Wa-Tho-Huck “Bright Path”. Education. 1904 – Father sent him to Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania
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Jim Thorpe Athlete of the Century
Jim Thorpe • Born: May 28, 1887 • Oklahoma – Indian Territory • Died: March 28, 1953 • Tribe: • Sac and Fox
Name • James Francis Thorpe • Native name • Wa-Tho-Huck • “Bright Path”
Education • 1904 – Father sent him to Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania • White teachers hoped to “civilize” the Indians • Students weren’t allowed to speak their native tongue or use their native names
Education, cont. • Students left their traditional lifestyles at the gates • They were forced to cut their long hair.
Carlisle School Athletics • Coach Glen Scobie “Pop” Warner • High Jump Jumped 5’9” first attempt
Athletics, cont. • Football • Halfback • Carlisle – Army game • Halfback battle between Jim Thorpe and Dwight Eisenhower • National Champions
Olympics • 1912 Stockholm • Medals in decathlon and pentathlon • King Gustave V of Sweden called Thorpe “the greatest athlete in the world.”
Controversy • Played baseball in the tobacco league • Earned $15 a week • Olympic athletes were forbidden from receiving money for sports activities • Olympic Committee asked for him to return his medals.
Grace • 1982 - Thorpe’s daughter Grace won her battle to have Thorpe’s medals returned.
Marriages • 1st Wife – Iva, 1913 Children: Jim, Jr., Gail, Charlotte, and Grace • 2nd Wife – Freeda, 1925 • Children: Carl Philip, William, Richard and John (Jack) • 3rd Wife – Patricia, 1945
Professional Sports • Major League Baseball • New York Giants • Cincinnati Reds • Boston Braves
Professional Sports • Football • Canton Bulldogs • Cleveland Indians • Oorang Indians • Rock Island Independents • New York Giants • St. Petersburg • Portsmouth • Chicago Cardinals
Awards • All-American Halfback • Olympic Decathlon and Pentathlon • King Gustave: “World’s Greatest Athlete • College Football Hall of Fame • N.F.L.’s “Most Valuable Player”
Awards • Professional Football Hall of Fame • Film: The All American • Sports Magazine: Greatest American Football Player in History • Wide World of Sports: Greatest Athlete of the Century • Musical: Warrior: An American Tragedy • Featured on Wheaties Cereal box