On May 26, 2001, the Sac and Fox Nation of Stroud, Oklahoma had a Jim Thorpe Honor Day, to celebrate Jim Thorpe as the Athlete Of The Century. What a great honor to bestow upon one - and what a deserving athlete was the one this honor was given to.

James Francis Thorpe was born in May 1888 near Prague, Oklahoma. His father, Hiram Thorpe was a farmer and his mother, Mary James, was a descendant of Chief Black Hawk. Black Hawk was a strong warrior and athlete and the last great chief of the Sauk and Fox Nation. At birth, Jim was given the name, Wa-Tho-Huk, which means "Bright Path", a name that clearly defined his future.

Jim was enrolled in Carlisle Industrial Indian School in 1904 where he excelled in sports. At Carlisle he trained in football and track. In 1908 he was selected as an "All-American" in a third-team and made his first team in 1909. "Pop" Warner, football legend, coached Jim and saw in him a phenomenal athlete with a great future career. Just eight years later, Jim was on his way to the 1912 Olympic Games as a hopeful contender.

In The Red Man, a publication of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, an article was written in September, 1912. In the article it was mentioned that King Gustav of Sweden crowned Jim Thorpe with the laurel wreath of victory and as he did, he said, "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."

Thorpe had won the all-round championship for the USA in the Pentathlon and the Decathlon at the Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden. Coming in at second place was another Native American, Tewanima of the Hopi Tribe, a sure and fleet-footed runner. Included in the article was a beaming commendation for the Native Americans: "The Indian race of this country came prominently to the forefront in athletic prowess at the Olympic games, which were held during the month of July in Stockholm, Sweden. While the United States was victorious in track events, she cannot be unmindful of the part which the aboriginal Americans took in helping to swell the victory."

Thorpe had easily made one of the biggest and most impressive wins in sporting history, outdoing his competitors by fantastic and huge margins, coming in first in nine of the fifteen track and field events. Jim set world records in both events. Letters of congratulations were sent to Jim and Tewanima by then President of the USA, William Howard Taft, and also from the Secretary of the Interior, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and many others who were so proud of our athletes.

When Thorpe and Tewanima returned home they were given a fantastic reception by the citizens of Carlisle. There was a parade in their honor where they were welcomed by their fellow students, a public meeting was held with addresses delivered by prominent people of Carlisle, athletic games, a huge dinner given by the Elks Club, fireworks at the school and another reception at the school's gymnasium where about one thousand people came to see the Athlete of the Century.

The praise, dedications, fame, glory and memories would last for all time, but the gold medals he won would not. The Olympics Committee had found out that Thorpe had been paid for professional athletics. The baseball games he had played in and been paid for disqualified him from the amateur status in the Olympic games and therefore, the committee decided to take his gold medals away from him. Citing the rules so strongly, yet neglecting to provide Thorpe with the 30-day time period to dispute the decision, the Committee erroneously wronged one of our greatest athletes ever.

Jim Thorpe lost his medals, but not his love for sports. He went on to play baseball for the New York Giants, where he was an outfielder for three seasons. He then relocated and played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1917. He returned to the Giants after 77 games with the Reds and in 1919 played his final season in baseball.

Throughout his baseball years, Jim also played in professional football. He was with the Ohio Bulldogs from 1915 until 1920 and the Cleveland Indiana Indians in 1921. After 1921 Jim organized, coached and played with the Oorang Indians, a professional football team of Native Americans. Jim was very influential and played an important part in organizing the American Professional Football Association, which he was elected President of. Eventually, this association evolved into what is now known as the NFL. Jim ended his football career in 1929 after playing on the Chicago Cardinals for a short time.

The Olympian Gold Medals were gone, but, it was love for the sport and the opportunity to compete and make his homeland proud that Jim cherished and played for.

Jim was named the "Most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th Century by the nation's press in 1950 and ABC's Wide World of Sports named him the "Athlete of the Century" every year from 1996 through 2001.

Jim Thorpe left a great legacy and inspiration for all young and hopeful athletes. There is a Jim Thorpe Award and "Watch List" for college football and it is one of the most sought after and prestigious awards for young athletes to strive for.

Jim lives in the hearts and memories of his loving family and dedicated fans. In 2008, Jim was featured in the Olympic Games, a fitting memory for one of our greatest!

Jim Thorpe died in March 1953. Almost thirty years after his passing and thanks to the efforts of his loving family, Jim's medals were posthumously restored to him and his name was put back into the Olympian records. This was a long overdue and much deserved honor.
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To read more about Jim Thorpe you may purchase the books I recommend at the Amazon links provided below:

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