Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was a Native American athlete from the Sac and Fox Nation. He was born in Prague, Oklahoma, in 1887. He won Olympic gold medals in two events and played professional football, baseball, and basketball. He is considered one of the greatest athletes ever.

Early Life

Thorpe grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation. He attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where his athletic talent was discovered. He could play almost any sport at an elite level.

Big Achievements

Thorpe won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympics. He played professional baseball and football at the same time. He was the first president of what became the NFL. In 2022, he was officially restored as the sole gold medalist in his Olympic events.

Fun Facts

• The King of Sweden told Thorpe, 'You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.'
• His Olympic medals were taken away because he had been paid to play baseball, but they were restored in 2022.
• He played six different professional sports.

Did You Know?

Thorpe's Olympic medals were stripped in 1913 because he had played semi-professional baseball. This was considered unfair by many. In 2022, the International Olympic Committee officially restored his gold medals.