Life did not set him up for success. He didn’t have a wealthy upbringing, he suffered great loss many times over, he didn’t come from a long line of famous athletes. In fact, he was an American Indian - the most despised and discarded race in America.

What turned this despised Indian into a super star athlete (or who I consider to be a Native “superhero”)? How did he go from discarded, to receiving gifts from the Czar of Russia and the King of Sweden and even his body being fought over after his death?

His name is Jim Thorpe. And in 1912, this Native American sports super hero triumphantly bolted into his sports career by winning the Decathlon AND the Pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics with 8,146 points (today’s current highest score is 9,126). One of his teammates once described him as “an oak tree doing a hundred yards in 10 seconds”. But he didn’t stop there. This track star also found success in football and baseball too!

But the journey was not easy. I sat down with Ashley Scott, Curator at the Jim Thorpe Home in Yale, Oklahoma to hear more about this Native American super hero - his success, the obstacles he overcame and the inspiration he brings to all people of all races from all backgrounds!

Season 1, Episode 16: “Jim Thorpe – Great American Athlete (and Native Super Hero)”

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