The Greatest Natural Athlete
... and Sac Indians grew a wide variety of crops in the fields and raised a modest number of horses, cattle, hogs, and chickens.” Jim spent most of his time outdoors whether it was hunting, fishing, or playing outside with friends. “I was never content unless I was trying my skill in some game against my fellow playmates or testing my endurance and wits against some member” (Wheeler). The two brothers were inseparable while growing up together, until just before their eighth birthday when Charlie died. This helped fuel Jim in making him a stronger person. The astonishment of Jim Thorpe began as a young kid when his excelled at any and every sport he attempted. He attended college at Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania after he was finished with Junior College. While there, Jim led his football teams to victories over the most notable powerhouse teams in the country, teams such as Army, Navy, Pittsburgh, and Nebraska. In 1912, Jim participated in the Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. “He gifted ability was showcased as Jim won the decathlon as well as the pentathlon. It was then that King Gustav V of Sweden called Jim the world’s greatest athlete” (Wheeler). After the Olympics, Jim came back to lead his Carlisle school to a national collegiate championship with 25 touchdowns and 198 points. Between 1913 and 1919, Jim played professional baseball for the New York Giants, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Boston Braves. In between that in 1915, Jim also began playing professional football for the Canton Bulldogs. I believe that without Jim Thorpe, sports and professional teams would not be where they are today. Thorpe was extremely gifted at any sport he attempted to try which is why in 1950, he was selected as the most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th century. Also between 1996-2001, he was awarded ABC’s Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century. Here is just a glimpse at how remarkable ...