Jim ThorpeThe World's Greatest Athlete

By: Mariesa Jones

Early Years

• James Francis Thorpe

• Born May 28, 1887

• Prague, Oklahoma

• Native American-Caucasian

• Father - Hiram Thorpe - Irish

• Mother - Charlotte Vieux - Native American

• Haskell Institute - Indian boarding school in Lawrence, Kansas

What Did He Do?

• One of the most versatile athletes of modern sports

• Won olympic gold medals for pentathlon and decathlon of 1912

• Played American Football - College & Professional

• Played Track and Field - Baseball

• Athletic Teams: Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Canton Bulldogs and Chicago Cardinals

Facts About Jim Thorpe

• His town, Pennsylvania has an annual birthday celebration every May 21 & 22

• He hit 3 home runs into three different states in the same game (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas)

• One of two men in history to play for the New York Giants in two different sports - running back and outfielder

• Football - retired in 1928, age 41

Facts About Jim Thorpe (cont.)

• Played major and minor league baseball for 20 years - New York Giants in 1913 - later playing for other teams like the Boston Braves and the Cincinnati Reds

• Was the first president of what is now the National Football League (NFL)

• Best baseball season - .327 in 60 games for Boston

• Thorpe had a twin named Charlie - died at the age of nine

Death Of Jim Thorpe

Jim Thorpe died due to heart failure for the third time in March 28, 1953 at the age of 64 in Lomita, California. He will always be remembered as the world's greatest athlete.

~ The End