Jim Thorpe: The 20th Century's Greatest Athlete - US History - Extra History

[@extrahistory]

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[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

You guys always make My day 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@also_arles]

Cheers to a new video! ❤️

[@SafirHamduilah]

Love you

[@theminecraftknight1631]

Do you still do extra mythology?

[@RuneGuld]

A correction. Gustav was king of Sweden, not Norway.

[@hollowednight5290]

Literally a modern day Achilles. Not only was he born with talent, but he trained just as hard as anyone else, if not harder, and became a legend.

[@SonofTuscon99]

As a huge NFL history freak, Jim Thorpe is one of my favorite history stories. When he got awarded his gold medals at the 1912 Olympics by King Gustav of Sweden, he was told, "you are the greatest athlete in the world". Thorpe then modestly replied, "Thanks, King". He later became the first ever president/commissioner of what is now known as the NFL. He also was a player/coach of the Canton Bulldogs at the time, and was a member of the inaugural class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

[@lordloptr1789]

Where did you get Norway from, the 1912 Olympics were in Sweden and King Gustav V was the King of Sweden and only became king after the union between Sweden and Norway was over. So he was never King of Norway.

[@Stewplaysgames]

The goat!

[@SonofTuscon99]

@@lordloptr1789 the vid said Norway, but I could've sworn it was Sweden!

[@andrewklang809]

I was gonna post "Thanks, King" if someone else didn't. Just the most American response possible.

[@ProtectTheSecond]

My absolute favorite athlete of all time. Dude was a tank

[@sonofenigma2]

One other fun fact: a town in PA, Mauch Chunk, renamed itself Jim Thorpe to honor him after his death and even houses his remains. Funny thing is Jim never went to this town or probably knew it ever existed.

[@ocathain-games]

I’m from there! The town is fighting his tribe who disowned him

[@sonofenigma2]

@ocathain-games that is also important to note. I forgot to bring up the lawsuits the town had in recent years.

[@ashleyannevans2075]

exactly a deal was made with his widow

[@applesauce4971]

went rafting there lol

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

It's about 90 miles northeast of Carlisle, where he went to school.

[@benin8or]

For those unfamiliar with the world of sports, Jim Thorpe is an absolute unit. He is legendary. This is a great video.

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

What an amazing story. My grandfather played football in high school back when all they wore were leather caps, no proper helmet existed.

[@1ronDragon]

2:07 I always appreciate the sparingly used smooth animation I also enjoy how one-off are ordered, back-to-back sports stories on athletes with Irish ancestry for St.Patrick's week, and Jim Thorpe to continue Native American stories after Sitting Bull, PERFECT 👌

[@conormurphy4328]

Yet there is absolutely no importance that he has Irish ancestry. So no real connection for St Patrick’s day

[@lysanamcmillan7972]

@@conormurphy4328You slander our shared Irish ancestry saying that it didn't matter to Thorpe's development as a person.

[@conormurphy4328]

@@lysanamcmillan7972 lol and how did it matter exactly? Did he ever visit Ireland? Did he even meet his Irish grandfather? Did it have any impact on him as a person at all apart from its where his ancestors *happened* to be from?

[@seanmcloughlin5983]

Whenever my family used to drive through Pennsylvania to get to New York we always stopped by Jim Thorpe PA to get groceries and pay respects to a legend.

[@MercedesJordy]

Being from Pennsylvania, I'm glad Jim Thorpe gets some KZbin love

[@biohazard724]

From his namesake town?

[@livingispain-e4i]

Learned about Jim in my pop culture class! He did an assignment where random words such such Eisenhower, Jim Thorpe, Football, etc were connected and we needed to figure out how. Really digging the videos on native history recently!

[@SonofTuscon99]

I gotta say, that Eisenhower story was super interesting!!

[@chuckiieternal]

Born and raised here in Rocky Mount, we were raised on the story of Jim and the Rocky Mount Railroaders. The historic highway marker still proudly stands downtown showing the direction to where the ball park he played at was located. Kay Kysler, Thelonious Monk and Jim Thorpe still deeply infuse local town history to this day.

[@lizardguy4236]

I’m so glad y’all covered this. Not enough people know who Jim Thorpe was which is a shame considering how impressive all of his accomplishments were

[@theromandudeinWI]

I remember finding Carlisle vs Army when I was 8. I was too young to understand the depth of suffering that they went through but nowadays the story is so much more powerful.

[@jameswolf133]

Nitpick time. You depict high jumpers using the Fosbury Flop which did not become widespread until about 60 years after the events depicted in the opening scene.

[@CastironWhisky]

I really appreciate your continued coverage of indigenous stories.

[@Boom-hw8ku]

the way you tell these stories has the utter most respect for its subjects, i always find myself wanting to cry/crying afterwards, masterful storytelling

[@souleylove]

Don't forget there's also a town in PA named Jim Thorpe. I grew up near there, but unfortunately they never told his story in school. I had to look up his story on my own because I was curious about the town's name.

[@Kingjulien1809]

The funny thing is that Jim Thorpe most likely has never been to that town 😂

[@wolf2912]

Olympic games were in Stockholm 1912 not in Norway king gustav of Sweden 🇸🇪

[@GoWildcatsrahhh]

Likely a mistake, all good

[@olefredrikskjegstad5972]

In fairness, that was literally the first King of just Sweden in the modern age. His dad was also King of Norway until their independence in 1905

[@tomihodet354]

This has to be one of the rare times a english speaker mistakes Norway for Sweden and not the other way around 😅

[@Evan.280]

Thorp is an absolute legend. Olympian, professional football and baseball player, and one of the greatest athletes of all time. Great man who did so much in such a short amount of time. He’ll forever be remembered as the GOAT he was

[@ocathain-games]

I attended the School in PA named after him, and the town that is named after him. He is a great man who deserves our respect.

[@Blackjack09721]

Jim Thorpe is a prime example of how sports can pave the way for many in society, and also how diversity scares people who know they suck if going against bigger pools of competition.

[@valmid5069]

It’s great to see Jim Throrpe’s amazing biography a bit of spotlight!

[@cbudzynski]

The visuals for the high jump early in the episode is using a technique called the Fosbury Flop from after WWII. Most athlete's before then would use the straddle to leap over face down, or the scissor to keep their whole upper body over the bar and lift the legs over.

[@davidwright7193]

The flop was first used in the 1968 Olympics by 1972 half of athletes were using it by Montreal it was universal. I was still taught scissor technique at primary school in the late 70’s/early 80’s. I don’t think that the PE teacher knew how to teach flop and the school didn’t have landing mats. The introduction of the flop also coincided with and accelerated the use of foam crash mats for the landing area. When Fosbury first started using it landing areas were commonly sand pits at lower levels and landing on your shoulders in a sand pit carries obvious risks of serious injury.

[@gejyspa]

Man! I was gonna say this! 12 seconds into the video and already a mistake!

[@renegadeleader1]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, the forward pass depicted at the 2:48 mark was illegal at the time Jim Thorpe attended school and wouldn't be adopted as a rule until 1906.

[@cg2642]

I love this channel but yeah, when they talk sports they could use a sports editor for the details.

[@jameswolf133]

@@renegadeleader1Let’s pretend that it was a lateral.

[@anncase8673]

You cant forget the fact that when the NFL was formed in 1920, Thorpe was unanimously elected as the leagues first president because the name recognition and potential prestige it would bring to the league

[@nathandennis03]

Extra credits doing two Native American story series!!! So nice to see both stories brought to life by the animation.

[@mandisinclair1632]

This is an amazing episode to watch and absolutely heart-wrenching to hear about Jim Thorpe. I live in the Pennsylvania town named after him and I had no idea about the man's history what a legend

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

8:23 Gustaf V… of Sweden. His father, Oscar II had been King of Norway but had abdicated that throne 7 years prior and died 5 years prior.

[@BrazenBard]

"Abdicated" is such a polite, civil way of phrasing it. We threatened the Swedes with a royal thumping back in 1905. :D

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

@@BrazenBard It… really isn’t? That is the correct term to describe what occurred on 1905. And he was succeeded as king by his own grandnephew. This wasn’t a revolution

[@DaydreamingSwede]

@@BrazenBard not the Swedes, but the royal family. The Swedish people supported an independent Norway

[@BrazenBard]

@@Edmonton-of2ecRevolution? No, that it wasn't - not in the sense of blood being spilled - but Norway dissolved the union three and a half months before Sweden came around and agreed to it. But Oscar II was, from all I can tell, of the opinion that Norway had "too many liberties" compared to Sweden, and he wasn't about to give us any more freedom than we already had, in particular getting our own consulates up and running, which had been agreed upon in 1814, so... yeah, it'd be more accurate to say he was compelled to abdicate the Norwegian throne, than that he just abdicated.

[@hardhatlunchpal]

You guy's didnt cover the Jim Thorpe award in college football. It's very prestigious to even be named as an award through college football and having the best defensive back award in your name is awesome.

[@DanBacksIide]

I always learn so much from these

[@NeevJack]

Me too

[@thatlastsam5234]

Thank you so much for making a video about my great uncle! I remember one of my elders told stories about Jim thorpe when I was young. Which I believe one of my other elders on my grandmother's side(Thorpe side) is still alive which I believe I heard about making a new movie about him though, i heard that back in 2018 or 2019 at a local pow wow. But still, Again, I want to thank you about making this video my great uncle! Edit/update: My great uncle just got his Medal of freedom recently!

[@SonofTuscon99]

Wait, seriously?!

[@thatlastsam5234]

@@SonofTuscon99 mhm. Though I'm about to share this to my grandma so she could show my grandma thorpe.

[@KitagumaIgen]

Mr Thorpe is one of my sporting heroes since I read about him in my youth. Send your great aunt my best regards from Sweden.

[@thatlastsam5234]

Honestly, as a Indian(or NDN as most of my younger cousins and my sister calls it), I believe that people should look more into Native American history as to be honest. Some stories if not most are either tragic or just bad*ss with for example The Native American Code talkers who used their language as an advantage and a counter to enemy radio listeners or even(my favorite) Dog soldiers which they(in some tribes) would stab a knife to the ground and through the hair while fighting off the enemy. Or better(or worse) the Osage murders.

[@ZBO180]

I love these types of videos because it is not about people who everyone knows, but it shows how everyone can be remembered in history

[@LargeMcBottoms]

I live near Jim Thorpe! It's a fun burrough in Pennsylvania that has open container laws to allow for outside drinking. It's a popular day trip destination, with many tiny shops and a theatre!!

[@ab3040]

There is no NFL without Jim Thorpe Think about how crazy that is

[@vivienneliu1206]

I love Extra History :D Edit: I have nothing else to say. This channel is just great, and I'm glad to be a viewer and subscriber :D

[@sir_captainmorgan]

Jim Thorpe is a hero of mine, I’m so happy to see an awesome video

[@arminiusjomni4452]

Another great video about yet another historical icon we don't know much about. Just one friendly correction, king Gustav (the 5th) was the King of Sweden and not Norway as mentioned near the end of this video.

[@goranurengard]

It is King Gustaf of Sweden, not Norway. The Swedish-Norwegian Union had dissolved in 1906, luckily without armed conflict. It was somewhat close.

[@Feraal]

I'd say the Union dissolved the year before, but yeah, I get why you could argue for 1906 as well.

[@lightingspeedk]

Thank you I'm from Pennsylvania and this finally explains the names of things

[@Mountaineer3615]

You missed the best part. After the king awarded Thope his medals, Jim smiled and said "Thanks King."

[@Dave-lx3vt]

We definitely need more of these

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks ❤

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Incredible video as always! Wars of the roses! Please! Hearth ❤❤❤❤❤

[@fabbe_fisher1588]

That is king Gustaf V of Sweden, although he was crown prince of the Sweden-Norway before the Union split apart. Future episode perhaps?

[@twiisted7507]

I’m just a whisper to the wind, I have no sway in the decisions made. A cycling history would be such fresh air to this channel. It would be so interesting to see how you manage it. If this statement holds any weight please I’ll be watching.

[@WilliamSchmidNetwork]

I definitely think you guys should do an Extra Sports series. There are plenty of interesting stories from the world of sports that would make great episodes. For example, Did you know that during the 1950’s the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings played a game at a prison in Michigan’s upper peninsula?

[@qore1815]

It's also worth remembering that every year the best defensive back in NCAA football is awarded the Thorpe award

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Always looking forward to your videos! 😊😊😊🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dandrive3249]

I remember learning about him in 4th grade. I didn’t hear about him much after wards granted I’m a nerd. He’s always been one of my favorite athletes

[@huskyfluff8236]

I love in the town in PA named after him. Fantastic place with beautiful mountains and a small brownstone style main st

[@SeanARooney]

In the opening scene, you depict the boys trying to jump over the bar the modern way, but the Fosbury Flop comes from the 1968 Olympics.

[@ILoveMisty1985]

Always love to see sports episodes of Extra History to see more sports history!

[@scoutobrien3406]

Was not expecting a cameo of Eisenhower as the badguy in a sports movie

[@mebrychi6504]

Another great series

[@SnazBrigade]

and his hometown is named after him now! Its very beautiful in the fall

[@FF2GOAT100]

Thanks for the info this helps a lot for extra credit

[@Johnadams20760]

he also played lacross, some for of pro basetball, won a ballroom natoinal competition, lacrosse, possibly amatuer golf and some other things

[@anidiot4702]

this man made me interested in anything sports related for the first time ever

[@54raynor]

My favorite Jim Thorpe fact: in addition to track & field, baseball, football, and lacrosse, he was also a collegiate champion in ballroom dancing.

[@mrtunasandwhich6799]

I just read a book on this for my honors class for school. Mad cool!

[@RobertJW]

Lifetime nebula! 🎉

[@dylancolon-r2w]

he also did competitive ballroom dancing. I am also writing a Jim Thorpe movie script

[@MorenikeAdekoya-u2i]

This was a really good story of course as always

[@Vanic00]

My great Grandmother was force to go to one of those schools, she was so repressed that we didn't even learn of our Cherokee heritage till after she died, when my grandfather, her son, admitted to having been born on the reservation in Arizona. Till then, we, including my mother, had been told that we were just of Scottish decent, which is true, just only half true.

[@danielboggan2479]

It’s worth noting the best college football defensive back, the most physically challenging position to play, is awarded the Thorpe award.

[@twiisted7507]

PLEASE, IVE BEEN WATCHING THIS CHANNEL FOR A LOONG TIME.A CYCLING HISTORY SERIES PLEAAAASE

[@Ryu_D]

Thank you for the video.

[@ICountFrom0]

I used to bike in Jim Thorpe, didn't know the history. Thank you.

[@MariaVosa]

8:24 - King Gustaf of SWEDEN. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, not Norway. (Gustaf's father had been the king of Sweden and Norway, but the latter gained its independence in 1905) Apart from that minor error, thank you for a fantastic introduction to a person I will now try to read up on a lot more.

[@jerry42023]

Greatest athlete to ever walk on Earth.

[@snailevangelist]

i took a motorcycle daytrip to jim thorpe pa from philadelphia only a couple weekends ago, so this is some neat context!

[@Novrick]

Amazing episode, happy to learn about more inspiring native americans! =) However, one correction: Gustav V Adolf was the king of Sweden, not Norway! Stockholm, the city the olympics of 1912 was in, is the capital of Sweden after all ;)

[@sephoramandondo2548]

He was mixed

[@abthedragon4921]

Wow, TWO indigenous American stories in a row? Nice!

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

Jim Thorpe is considered a really big deal in Oklahoma, where I'm from and where he was born, along the likes of Will Rogers and Sequoyah.

[@strombreakr]

Please do more on the Carlisle football team. They were revolutionary.

[@baliyae]

Jim Thorpe was awesome!

[@chasefrench1864]

Wild to see Haskell in an extra history vid, love to see it

[@darreljones8645]

I believe one of the pro teams Jim Thorpe played for was the American League baseball team in Cleveland. Because they got him, the former Spiders (which had a mostly lackluster history to that point) renamed themselves the Indians, a nickname they only dropped a couple years ago.

[@ashleyannevans2075]

You should of mentioned the crazy fact about the PA town named after him, that he never lived in or near. His wife made a deal with this struggling small town that if they could have his body they would rename the town after him makin it a tourist spot to honor him. Really nice town.

[@Johnadams20760]

he was sabotaged at the olymics for teh decathalong too by having his shoes stolen. he found 2 shoes in a dumpser, one too small on etoo large and still had a record that wold not be beaten for like 30 years

[@Steveyoung49er]

I live no too far from were he was born and got to go visit the place were his parents are buried and see the land they owned. It was a neat experience!

[@jonathanfeldheim6554]

Spent a few years in Carlisle, Thorpe is the town hero

[@SnowyFox1831]

He is probably a college football god…😊❤🎉

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content guys 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@franciscomarinez517]

Mr.Bright path is one of the best athletes to ever do it

[@dylancolon-r2w]

I’ve been writing a movie about jim thorpe

[@jessicamcbride7061]

Day 1 please do the ancient Greece Peloponnes war.

[@clinton.gannaway]

As an Okie we all know this story so glad it's being told on this platform!

[@bottasheimfe5750]

Wow what an awesome story!

[@cusy1054]

always a good day when EH uploads

[@JohnGabrielSolis-c3i]

I have a idea for Extra mythology 1. bakunawa (Philippine myth) 2.Mananangal (Philippine myth) As a Filipino I would like to see this on your channel

[@alfrancisbuada2591]

Nice addition of Sports History!

[@nicobambino191]

Jim Thorpe, PA is a great town to visit

[@YoderMemeIndustries]

Jim Thorpe... mah boi!

[@janexdoee]

Can I just take a moment to say I LOVE YOUR ANIMATIONS SM

[@stripkyhistorie4145]

Extra history, I love your Chanel. Can you please someday make video about something historical from my country (Czech republic). For example: writer Franz Kafka, Czech reformation (something that inspired Luther) or Gregor Mendel (founder of geteticks) ect.

[@vaiyt]

Nobody will ever do something as crazy as competing in both the pentathlon and decathlon in the same olympics, let alone win both. And he also competed in the high jump. To me he always will be the greatest Olympian of the modern era, bar none.

[@nader50752]

15 seconds in, you have a mistake on the high jump, that kind of jump wasn't invented until much later on in the 60s!

[@ssfoxx1]

Great video, although one minor point: the two times Jim is depicted doing high jump, you have him going over the bar with his back towards the bar. This was not the method used in high jump at the time and did not come into use until Dick Fosbury did it in 1968. You probably would've broken your neck high jumping like that in 1912, since they weren't using soft landing cushions!

[@Cloudd1103]

I literally dropped everything to see this

[@Just.A.Blur.]

Same

[@FakeBlocks]

Please do the Greek war of independence of 1821 against the ottoman empire next I've been asking for this since the first episodes of the sengoku Jidai!!