Jim Thorpe was called "That Indian" by the opposing football teams and the American culture at large as the running back for the Carlisle Indians - the school for Native American industrial training in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Despite the racist rhetoric and the best tacklers available at the time, 1911-1912, Jim still gained over 3000 rushing yards in one season (the first such occurence in collegiate football history).  He represented the United States in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden in the two grueling events, the Pentathlon and the Decathlon; winning both gold medals decisively.  These wins earned him world fame and the title of the "World's Greatest Athlete" The next year, 1913, the Olympics committee decided to revoke his gold medals.  Their claim at the time was that Jim Thorpe was disqualified from the required amateur status because he had been paid for playing some baseball a few summers prior.  Irregardless, Jim Thorpe still carried on with his baseball and football careers becoming the first president of the National Football League in 1920 (while still playing).  Jim Thorpe, was born to two Native American parents in Oklahoma in 1887.  His father Hiram Thorpe was half Sac and Fox and half Irish.  His mother was one-fourth French and the rest Native American.  Jim Thorpe was ALL-AMERICAN, and he showed that on the field of football as well as other sports.  Jim showed the American culture and the world that abilities and skills are more important than attributes that don't matter like skin color or ethnicity.  Still, it was a hard lesson for the American culture to learn.  Jim performed physical feats like none other before or since, and in 2000 he was named the "Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century."  After he died in California in 1953, his widow, Patsy Thorpe, arranged to have a town in Pennsylvania named in his honor, Jim Thorpe, PA.  His remains are honorably rested there, and the town remains a prominent tourist town in the Pocono Mountains today.  In 1982 his gold medals were restored and given to his family.  Through Jim's love of life and sport to advance friendly competition amongst all cultures he is considered a HOSS indeed! The Eagle Hoss & Hound podcast is a platform for respect. Respect for the Eagle - the individual with a service background (including spouses). Respect for the Hoss - the Social Integrity Hero from our American past. Plus, the Hound - the common #AmericanMutt - you and me. Follow @EagleIMBUED - J.D. Collier  

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