Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe was one of the most accomplished all-around athletes in history and was selected as the greatest American athlete and the greatest gridiron player.

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Profession :

Football Player

Birthday :

May 28, 1887

Star Sign :

Gemini

Death Date:

March 28, 1953

Age :

65

Born on May 28, 1888, near Prague, Indian Territory (now in Oklahoma), Jim Thorpe was a highly accomplished all-around athlete. In 1912, he made history as the first Native American to win Olympic gold, earning medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon. Thorpe’s athletic prowess extended to professional football and baseball, playing for teams such as the Canton Bulldogs and New York Giants. He was also a founding member of the National Football League (NFL) and served as its president in 1935. In 1963, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Thorpe’s achievements include leading Carlisle to the NCAA football championship in 1912 and being ranked as the “greatest American football player” of the first half of the century by the Associated Press. He even briefly played professional basketball, signing with the Milwaukee Badgers of the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1927 and playing semi-professionally with several other teams throughout his career.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, Thorpe died in poverty. However, he remains a revered figure in sports history and was selected as the greatest American athlete and the greatest gridiron player by American sportswriters and broadcasters in 1950.