Considered to be one of the most versatile athletes in modern day sports, Jim Thorpe was not only an Olympian, but also a professional football, baseball, and basketball player. His unmatched talent and determination has made him one of the most celebrated sports figures in American history.

Jim Thorpe belonged to the Sac and Fox nation, and was born to Hiram and Charlotte Vieux Thorpe on May 28, 1887. Thorpe grew up Native American Territory in modern day Oklahoma. Thorpe had a twin brother, Charles, who unfortunately passed away at a young age. The loss of his twin brother affected him deeply, and is believed to be what pushed him to work harder. 

At the age of 25, Thorpe participated in the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympic games, competing in the pentathlon, decathlon, long jump, high jump, and javelin. He won 4 out of the 5 events for the pentathlon, and beat out the fan favorite Hugo Wieslander by 688 points. During the decathlon event, Thorpe placed in the top four for all ten events, and his Olympic record of 8,413 points was unbeatable for nearly two decades. Along with two gold medals for both the pentathlon and decathlon, he received two challenge prizes from King Gustav V of Sweden and Czar Nicholas II of Russia. Thorpe was the first Native American to win gold medals for the US. 

Thorpe also played professional football for the American Professional Football Association (would later become the NFL in 1922), as well as baseball and basketball for various teams. Thorpe was the first president (modern title commissioner) of the NFL, believing his fame would be instant credibility to the league. 

In 1912, the Olympic community had strict rules regarding amateurism, meaning an athlete who has received money or had competed previously against professionals, were not considered amateurs. Unfortunately, in 1913, it was reported that Thorpe had played semi-professional baseball in North Carolina between 1909-1910. Though the public did not mind that Thorpe had played semi-professional baseball previously, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and James Edward Sullivan took this case very seriously. Later that same year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)  unanimously voted to strip Thorpe of all of his Olympic titles, medals, and awards. But in 1983, in a meeting held by the IOC, Thorpe’s records and titles were reinstated, and his medals and awards were given to his family, who were in attendance at the meeting. 

Thorpe passed over 70 years ago, on March 28, 1853. Still, his legacy and impact continues to inspire athletes around the world who wish to follow in his steps, proving the determination and talent can break any barrier. •