SPORTS
DEFY LIMITS. INSPIRED BY JIM THORPE.
From Olympic champion to a founding figure in professional football, Jim Thorpe left a legacy that continues to inspire generations. Explore his impact on the Olympics and the NFL.
AN OLYMPIC LEGACY
At the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games, Thorpe won both the pentathlon and decathlon. His achievements showcased exceptional versatility across running, jumping and throwing events.
His titles were stripped in 1913 under the amateur rules of the time. In 1982, the IOC restored his amateur status, leading to his recognition as a co-champion. In 2022, the IOC announced that he would be displayed as the sole gold medallist in both events.
A FOUNDING FIGURE IN THE NFL
Thorpe joined the Canton Bulldogs in 1915 and helped the team claim unofficial professional championships in 1916, 1917 and 1919. In 1920, he became the first president of the American Professional Football Association, the organization later renamed the National Football League.
In 1963, Thorpe was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class. His influence connects the NFL’s beginnings with the generations of players and fans who followed.
Read his Pro Football Hall of Fame biography
CARRY THE STORY FORWARD
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Draft for review. Historical copy awaits Burke’s approval. Approved Sports imagery and image credits are still needed.