Highlights of Jim Thorpe’s career

Long before Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders and Michael Jordan, there was an original “super athlete” named Jim Thorpe. Fans didn’t stop at what Jim Thorpe could do, instead wondering if there was something this sports icon couldn’t do. He would watch a sport he had never tried before, study his techniques, and then hone them to a world-class level.

In Thorpe’s prime, he could run faster and jump higher than all of his competitors. He was an Olympic track and field gold medalist. He won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. He played professional football and major league baseball. Not only that, Jim was a tremendous basketball player and one of the best lacrosse players in history. When you look at the vast scope of Thorpe’s accomplishments, there has never been another athlete like him.

Timeline Bio:

• Author born: May 28, 1888
• 10 years: twin brother Charlie dies of pneumonia
• 12 years: the mother died of a blood disorder. Father dies of the same disease three years later
• Age 15: Jim studied agriculture and tailoring at Carlisle Indian School (equivalent to high school and college combined). Letters in 11 sports
• Age 19: Promoted to varsity by coach Pop Warner
• He leads Carlisle to an 11-1 record and wins All American honors. Kicked a 50-yard field goal for # 1 ranked Harvard bieat
• Age 24: Win Olympic gold medals in decathlon and pentathlon.
• 1915 – Plays professional soccer for the Canton Bulldogs.
• 1920 – Named president of the NFL
• 1928: retires like a giant from New York

Interesting Facts About Jim You May Not Know

• Over the course of 7 years, Jim Thorpe lost his entire family to illness and was completely alone at the age of 15. After the death of his entire family, Jim learned to channel his physical and mental energy to block out pain. This inner strength is what allowed him to survive the excruciating punishment of professional sports.
• At Thorpe’s 1912 meeting with the Army, defensive specialist Dwight D. Eisenhower was brought into play to try to stop Thorpe. The future president of the United States blew his knee while trying to confront Thorpe.
• Jim had a special grace about him. In 1912 he won the collegiate ballroom dance championship.
• Jim Thorpe was considered a world-class athlete in baseball, basketball, discus, soccer, hammer throw, handball, high jump, hurdles, ice hockey, lacrosse, long jump, mile run, pole vault. , rowing, shot put, speed skating, sprinting. and tennis.