Bio:Jim Thorpe’s date of birth has been subject some speculation, but the date that has been agreed on by most is May 28, 1888. He was born just outside of Prague, Oklahoma. He had a diverse heritage of French, Irish, and Sac and Fox Indian, and attended college at Carlisle Indian Industrial School. It was at Carlisle that Thorpe established himself as one of the greatest athletes in history.
Thorpe seemingly excelled at any sport he tried. At Carlisle he participated in track and field, football, baseball, and lacrosse. He was very successful at track and field, but his first love was football. At first, legendary coach Pop Warner did not want Thorpe to ruin his track and field abilities with the physicality of football. Coach Warner relented, however, when Thorpe displayed his fantastic football abilities. Thorpe was running back, defensive back, punter, and place kicker for the Indians, leading the team to 11-1 in 1911 and a national championship in 1912. Despite his amazing ability on the football field, it was track and field that turned Thorpe into a legend.
At the 1912 Olympic Games in Sweden, Thorpe captivated the games by easily winning both the pentathlon and the decathlon. Unfortunately, both medals were taken from Thorpe following the games because it came to light that he had been paid to play baseball for a minor league team. Eventually, both medals were re-awarded to Thorpe posthumously in 1982.
After his much storied Olympic exploits, Thorpe returned to playing football, this time professionally with the Canton Bulldogs in 1915. Over his career, Thorpe spent time with Canton, the Cleveland Indians, the Oorang Indians, the Rock Island Independents, the New York Giants, and the Chicago Cardinals. He led the Bulldogs to unofficial championships in 1916, 1917, and 1919. Considered a professional football icon, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1963. Thorpe also had a short career in professional baseball, playing in 289 career games with the New York Giants (baseball), Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves. His career baseball totals include a .252 batting average, 91 runs scored, and 82 RBIs.