The Day Jim Thorpe Dies

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FOOTBALL NAME | Jim Thorpe

"The Day Jim Thorpe Dies"

Last updated 📅 2025-03-28

March 28, 1953 - The Sports world loses one of history’s most outstanding athletes as Jim Thorpe passes away at the age of 65 years old in Lomita, California. Thorpe most famously won Gold in the 1912 Olympic games, but they were stripped of them due to playing a bit of minor league baseball in 1910 ( See our January 26 post).

Image courtesy of "WHOISWILLIAMNOBLE.COM"

They posthumously returned the medals to Thorpe’s credit in 1983. (See our January 18 post) But his football prowess is what we most remember this legend for. ( Visit our May 28 blog article on the subject)

The Native American played famously for Pop Warner at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. When the early NFL formed, Thorpe became the American Professional Football Association’s first president. As we know, the APFA later changed its name to the NFL. As a pro football player, Jim played for the Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, and New York Giants.

TITLE: The Day Jim Thorpe Dies
EVENTDAY: March 28
FOOTBALL NAME: Jim Thorpe

football name

"Jim Thorpe A Legend Beyond the Gridiron"

Jim Thorpe's athletic legacy transcends categorization. While best known for his Olympic decathlon and pentathlon victories, his foray into professional football with the Canton Bulldogs in the late teens deserves recognition as he served as the first President of the fledgling NFL (APFA). Though brief, Thorpe's impact on the sport was undeniable.Thorpe arrived with a reputation as a multi-sport marvel. Despite initial skepticism about his transition from baseball, he quickly impressed coaches with his speed, agility, and powerful throws. His versatility was invaluable – he ran the ball, kicked, punted, and even played some defense. Newspapers reveled in his electrifying plays, solidifying his celebrity status.

TITLE: Jim Thorpe A Legend Beyond the Gridiron
FOOTBALL NAME: Jim Thorpe
NFL JERSEY: Number 02, Number 03, Number 21

However, Thorpe's time with the Giants was marked by challenges. The brutal nature of the game in the 1920s, with minimal protection and grueling travel schedules, took a toll...

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FOOTBALL NAME | Jim Thorpe

"Jim Thorpe The 1st Big Name of Football Stars"

Jim Thorpe. The name evokes images of unparalleled athletic prowess, a man who transcended sports and symbolized Native American resilience. His football career, though relatively brief, stands as a testament to his raw talent, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination, forever etched in the annals of gridiron history.

TITLE: Jim Thorpe The 1st Big Name of Football Stars
FOOTBALL NAME: Jim Thorpe
FOOTBALL POSITION: NFL Commissioner
FOOTBALL TEAM: Canton Bulldogs, Carlisle Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents
OTHER: Carlisle Industrial School
SPORTS: College Football, Football

Born James Francis Thorpe in 1887, his life began amidst the cultural clashes of the American frontier. Thorpe, a Sac and Fox Nation member, displayed an exceptional athletic ability from a young age...