American athlete and Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe lost his gold medals in 1913 when it was discovered that he had played baseball for money before the Olympics. His medals were later reinstated in 1982. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
He attended the Sac and Fox Indian Agency school in Stroud, Oklahoma, with his twin brother, Charlie. At the age of 16, he started attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, PA.
There his athletic ability was recognized and he was coached by Glenn Scobey “Pop” Warner, one of the most influential coaches of early American football history.
What are 5 interesting facts about Jim Thorpe?
- Jim Thorpe was married three times in his life before his death. He first married his wife, Iva M. Miller, in 1913, with whom he had four children a son and three daughters. His second wife was Freeda Verona Kirkpatrick in 1926 and also had four children all sons. He married Patricia Gladys Askew his last wife in 1945 but had no children. In total, he had eight children.
- Jim Thorpe was known to have been walking past the high jumpers at his school in 1907 and did an impromptu jump measuring 5 feet 9 inches. He beat all the other jumpers.
- Coach Glen Scobey ‘Pop’ Warner was one of the most influential football coaches known in early American football history, and he coached Jim Thorpe at Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
- Jim Thorpe gained national attention as a running back, defensive back, punter, and placekicker and scored all four field goals beating Harvard 18-15 in 1911.
- Jim Thorpe in his days had a difficult time finding work outside of sports. So, he worked various jobs during the Great Depression. He worked as a film extra and even sold the rights to his life story to MGM for the equivalent of $24,000 today.
Source: nflfaqs.com
