Excellence
About This Billboard
Jim Thorpe didn’t excel in just one sport, but in many, making a name for himself in track and field, professional basketball and football, as well as major league baseball. In 1999 the Associated Press placed him third on their list of top athletes of the century, behind only Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan.
Though sports came easy for Thorpe, life did not. James Francis Thorpe was born a twin, but lost his brother to pneumonia when he was just nine years old. His mother died of childbirth complications just two years later. His father passed away after a hunting accident when Thorpe was 16 and attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Thorpe was raised in the Sac and Fox nation in Oklahoma and despite the hardships of his youth lived up to his native name: Wa-Tho-Huk, translated as “Bright Path.” His brilliant athletic career began at the Carlisle School. Though football was his favorite sport—earning him All-American honors in 1911 and 1912—he did not stop there. He competed in baseball, lacrosse, track and field, and even ballroom dancing, winning the 1912 inter-collegiate ballroom dancing championship.
Indeed 1912 was a big year for Thorpe. He became famous overnight with his outstanding performance at the Stockholm Olympics. He won the gold medal for both the decathlon and pentathlon. It is believed that as King Gustav awarded Thorpe his medals he said “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.”
In 1913 Thorpe’s medals were stripped from him when the committee discovered he had played minor league baseball prior to competing in the Olympics, therefore violating the amateur regulations. Many opposed this ruling, however, and in 1983 Thorpe’s medals, and his name, were reinstated in the record books.
Thorpe went on to excel in major league baseball and professional football. He played for various MLB teams and finished his career with a .252 batting average, 91 runs scored, and 82 runs batted in. Likewise Thorpe played for six different NFL teams. He even coached one of his teams, the Canton Bulldogs, while still a player. Thorpe’s talent did not go unnoticed—he was selected to the first All-NFL team in 1923.
The sheer excellence with which Thorpe performed every sport he ever competed in is an inspiration to many. Undoubtedly, Jim Thorpe is one of the greatest athletes this world has ever seen.
-
Preparation -
Leadership -
Stewardship -
Optimism -
Character -
Excellence -
Motivation -
Sportsmanship -
Giving Back -
Peace -
Live Life -
Love -
Devotion -
Hope -
Confidence -
Ambition -
Inspiration -
Foresight -
Achievement -
Believe In Yourself -
Caring -
Class And Grace -
Commitment -
Compassion -
Courage -
Courage -
Dedication -
Determination -
Determination -
Hard Work -
Helping Others -
Ingenuity -
Inspiration -
Integrity -
Live Your Dreams -
Opportunity -
Optimism -
Overcoming -
Perseverance -
Persistence -
Rising Above -
Sacrifice -
Soul -
Strength -
Teamwork -
Unity -
Vision -
Volunteering
Your Comments
I loved seeing this billboard, it reminds me of being in Glacier National Park, Montana, hearing a song about Jim Thorpe from Jack Gladstone. I never heard of Jim Thorpe till then, and never realized his true success. If you like Jim Thorpe look up his song, its on the Buffalo Cafe CD.
Posted about 1 month ago by Lisa Marie O. from Lena, WI
I love this billboard. Thorpe was the greatest athlete of all time. Period. He would beat entire track teams single handedly. In the 1912 Olympics, he competed in 17 events--a record that will never be broken. He was the most dominant NFL player of his era, played pro baseball and basketball and won 2 Olympic gold medals--including the decathlon. Who can top that?!!!
Posted 2 months ago by C. W. from Pasadena, CA
"All American. Native American" is right! I absolutely love walking by this billboard in downtown DC. Jim Thorpe is a real hero that can inspire American youth of all ethnicities.
Posted 2 months ago by Darcy N. from Washington, DC
As as Native American I am proud to see this billboard everyday on my way to work. Very inpsiring!
Posted 2 months ago by Kelly G. from San Jose, California
I grew up hearing his name and his greatness and recently read a book about his life and am now even in more awe of how much of a inspiration he is to this country, Indian country!!
Posted 3 months ago by Melissa B. from Washington, DC.
Jim Thorpe IS the greatest athlete of all time. The fact that he is only listed as the third best athlete of this century is an insult.
Posted 3 months ago by Ken S. from York, PA
Jim Thorpe has always been a special icon to me, I am half Lipan Apache, love American football and had always looked to him as a hero in my life. I was also a very gifted athlete and tried to conduct myself and my life the way he did his. One year in college I was going through a very difficult period, I was far from my family and I was very depressed from what was happening in my life. I walked into a room at school I had never been to before, there were hundreds of pictures on a wall of great people who had something to do with that school. I was drawn to the middle for some reason and looked up, to my amazement there was a picture of Jim Thorpe, I had not known, but he had been a back field football coach at that school for a couple of years. I stood there for a very long time, it seemed I had been brought to that room and to that location to see my hero's photo at a time I was in need of help and guidance. I straightened up and stood tall before his photo, thanked him for coming into my life and helping me when I needed it the most and told him I would never forget him or that moment. His spirit and photo brought me to it at my darkest time and saved my life.
Posted 5 months ago by Bo N. from Los Angeles
amazing what position did he play?
Posted 5 months ago by garrett s from burnt hills
Babe Ruth was a great baseball player and Michael Jordan was a great basketball player; however, they each excelled in only one sport. Jim Thorpe excelled in every sport he participated in. King Gustav had it right, let's live with it.
Posted 5 months ago by Winston M. from Provo, Utah
Amazingly inspirational.
Posted 5 months ago by Kyra B. from Michigan
Seeing his poster at a bus stop in Westminster, Orange County, CA brought tears to my eyes, especially after many here ask me, "What is an American Indian?" We live on.
Posted 5 months ago by Holly J. from Los Angeles, CA
It was great to see Jim Thorpe's picture up on the billboard. Hopefully some of the young will learn who he was, the greatest athlete ever.
Posted 7 months ago by Tony S. from Janesville, MN
Jim Thorpe is without a doubt the greatest athlete this world has ever known. An inspiration to all athletes no matter what sport.
Posted 8 months ago by Ron J. from Topeka, KS
I drive past this billboard on the Pennsylvania Turnpike within a few miles of the town named for Jim Thorpe. What an inspiration!
Posted 8 months ago by Len L. from Harveys Lake,PA
I was proud to see this man on a billboard. He was the greatest Native American athlete ever and I'm happy he's finally getting some exposure. I hope he continues to inspire the Native American youth to become great.
Posted 9 months ago by Rebecca W. from Arizona
He inspires us all in different ways.
Posted 10 months ago by Alex P. from Brookings
He's not one of, he IS the greatest athlete of all time by far.
Posted 10 months ago by Devon P. from Brookings Or.
I read about Jim Thorpe a year ago and I think he is one of the best athletes I have heard of in the 1900's.
Posted 10 months ago by Jacob F. from Brookings
Being from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, I grew up learning about Jim Thorpe. He was an inspiration for overcoming obstacles and doing great things. Now living in Savannah, Georgia, and seeing the billboard with his picture I am reminded of his greatness. It's an encouragement now during a time of change in my life.
Posted 11 months ago by Jaclyn F. from Savannah