Winning Olympic Gold Wearing Different Sized Shoes Found in a Dumpster - The Amazing Jim Thorpe

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In this video:
When people make lists of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, they are populated with the usual suspects: Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams, Wayne Gretzky, Jim Brown, Pele… but there is one name that should always make the list even though many people, even the biggest sports fans, may not recognize it, or if they do, they know little about the man- Jim Thorpe.
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[@BronxLockPicker60Rodriguez]

Living in Kennett Square PA, I visited Jim Thorpe's grave several times. It's a shame he died penny less. RIP my friend.

[@voidremoved]

cia stole his shoes

[@bigwig8657]

@@voidremoved his teamate did

[@carmaela2689]

Sad he's buried in a town he never stepped foot in while alive

[@homebasedparttimeonlinepla83]

Never mind he died pennyless God will provide him life everlasting

[@stevefowler2112]

When I was a kid growing up in the 60's and 70's I once asked my Dad who was the best Pro football player that ever played...He told me Jim Brown would get most people's vote but he said his would be Jim Thorpe...he then went on to tell me a bit about him and his Olympic gold medals and then said in his eye he was the best athlete ever. As we had rumors of a touch of Indian blood on my Dad's side and since I pretty much lived to play football and hunt/explore in the woods I considered myself with some Indian athleticism and comfortableness in the woods Jim Thorpe became my boyhood idol and Hero.

[@stephencarter744]

All Americans especially 'WASP' and "Black" Americans are rumored to have a "touch of native American blood. Unless your father actually saw Jim Thorpe play (any sport), his judgment is suspect. I'm sure your father is a great guy, but I'd take his opinion with a grain of salt (unless he actually saw Thorpe perform).

[@carmaela2689]

@@stephencarter744why can't you judge someone ad a superior athlete based on stats? Why do you have to see them to have an opinion? That doesn't make sense. I was barely old enough to have remembered watching Flo Jo in the 1987 Olympics but I still regard her as one of the greatest. And I think she was robbed because of the bullshit about her being aided by "wind". It's called history. You don't have to have actually seen it to learn and compare to other similar events.

[@stephencarter744]

@@carmaela2689 OK...but you _did_ see Flojo compete, didn't you? You can actually review most of her races today on KZbin. You really can't review Jim Thorpe's activities the same way. You're opinions can only be second hand.

[@FlyJohnny100]

Even without his many jaw-dropping disadvantages, it's hard to argue against him being the top all-around athlete of the 20th century.

[@stephencarter744]

Nah, it's quite easy. Interesting guy though.

[@brettbarker8444]

I’m not sure why you’d take someone’s disadvantages into account when discussing top athlete, but amazing story.

[@darreljones8645]

Bonus fact #2: Jim Thorpe's 1912 Olympic decathlon performance was so strong, it would have won a silver medal in 1948, thirty-six years later. Bonus fact #3: After Thorpe's medals were stripped from him, the runners-up declined to accept his golds. They were restored to him in 1984.

[@BreakerInc]

Just finished the video, and while I'm glad his medals were restored to him, they should never have been taken away. Sickening, but at least he lived his best life.

[@Johnadams20760]

think about this. had he not had his shoes stolen, likely slowing him down, and had he known to run and throw the javelin, i am guessin gthat would not have happened til 1960 something

[@airjordan1325]

Wasn't mentioned in the video, but 30 years after he died his medals were reinstated by the International Olympic Committee

[@YouTubecanfuckagoat]

Shadow Phoenix Good to know. Thanks for posting.

[@mitchelvalentino1569]

Great comment! 👍

[@Serene80]

Thank you! That's what I was thinking I remembered. Why the hell wouldn't that have been mentioned. Kinda big to leave out!!!

[@jonfernandez8027]

Wonderful! I'm glad! Ty for mentioning!

[@sailingsolar]

Your right! It is an important foot note.

[@nosuchthing8]

He finished third in an event he never tried in the olympics. WOW.

[@Johnadams20760]

from what i read he learned it just before he went over there. but beyond that. he threwthe javelin without a runnin gstart. afterwards someone asked im why he didn't ru , he said "oh, you can do that?

[@ciotie101]

My father told me this story as a kid. He always said he was the greatest Okie ever born. Not sure if this is true but I was always told that when the king of Sweden told Jim, “You are the greatest athlete to have ever lived.” Jim looked at him blushed a bit and said, “Thanks king.” So perfect for a poor Okie Indian.

[@mitchelvalentino1569]

Thank you for this video. Jim Thorpe is one of my favorite athletes ever. And I especially love these kinds of stories.

[@Serene80]

I'm from Minnesota but have always been interested in Native American history. That's why I read about Jim Thorpe...

[@DavidMartin-lj8yj]

I am Potawatomi. Jim is still a huge inspiration to our people. Also, my grandmother was put in a boarding school as a child and it feels so good to hear you talk about them. Most people have no idea how negative of an affect it had on all natives.

[@jonfernandez8027]

Thank you so much for covering such an amazing athlete! Superior content as always! ^_^

[@mikeyoung00]

Thorpe's two olympic gold medals from 1912 were posthumously restored to him in 1982 by the IOC, upon the request of USOC president William E. Simon. Too late for Jim, the restoration does provide some justice for his memory. Thorpe is in the Football Hall of Fame and the Track and Field Hall of Fame.

[@skyden24195]

If Jim Thorpe was around today, he would probably win "Dancing With The Stars."

[@Atleastihavemydog]

And then he’d have a reality show and run for President!

[@omindon]

Jim Thorpe the town is trying to change it's name back to Mauch Chunk. It is a really interesting town and I recommend visiitng it. I believe the reason they picked the town was probably back in the mid to late 1800's there were 13 millionaires in the world and 7 of them lived there. So it has some interesting history. That would be my guess anyhow. The ASA Packard Mansion is there and they were big in the railroad. Mansion is still original with all the original furniture. Also the Haunted Mansion at Disney is modeled after the Harry Packard Mansion which is located in Jim Thorpe as well.

[@TheRealAirhead]

I love Jim Thorpe. It's so beautiful. Great rafting there as well.

[@madamesalamander16]

I'm a JT resident, and we have made no plans to resume the town's former name. Jim rests here, and we celebrate him proudly. The name Mauch Chunk is preserved through our considerable history, as well as being a popular choice for business names and local events. And the family of which you speak is Packer, not Packard. Asa Packer became rich in railroad construction in the mid 1800s. The Packard family made automobiles at the turn of the 20th century. And you are correct about the Asa Packer mansion being intact. When the estate was willed to the Jim Thorpe Borough, all they did was cut the springs loose in the upholstered furniture so that they didn't rust through the fabric.

[@kwebst1]

his great nephews were my neighbors. One became (is) a pro golfer. Both were fabulously talented in sports while in high school. My little brother would practice so hard to make a team and they just had to try out and they were so good they got on baseball and football teams in high school.

[@nathancate582]

Ive always said he was the best athlete of all time. He could do multiple sports VERY well.

[@djb903]

Beast mode. A true American hero!

[@sirsavagethe21st56]

They don't wanna talk about him cause he's over powered!!!!!

[@heatherlongacre4246]

I found this video very interesting. Being from PA and visiting Jim Thorpe in the past, I never knew who he was or why he had a town named for him. Thank you for the education today!

[@shadowboxing7029]

I'd never heard of him until Drunk History. This incredible man should be known the world over.

[@dawsonseiders4119]

There's a statue of Jim Thorpe in Pottsville PA

[@carmaela2689]

This man deserves a really, really, good quality movie made about him.

[@gretchensweetheart9298]

I grew up around Jim Thorpe (the town). There has been a legal battle with his kids and the town.

[@TheRealAirhead]

I live 15 minutes away from Jim Thorpe. I love it there, I lived there for about a year. So beautiful and so much history.

[@shadowboxing7029]

It's really sad, he should have been buried according to his culture by his people. I hope that changes one day. So heartbreaking for his children.

[@route2070]

Jim Thorpe has a school (I believe a high school) named after him on the Pine Ridge Reservation. He may not be the first athlete to have that honor, but it isn't that common.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

The town of Prague Oklahoma isn't pronounced the same as the historic city. It's pronounced more like the word prey with a "g" sound. Before anyone argues, I was born and raised in Oklahoma and lived just a few miles from Prague for a decade.

[@walruso5745]

Praig USA

[@a_literal_brick]

An athlete like that only comes around once in a century. It’s a shame that it ended so poorly for him

[@YouTubecanfuckagoat]

Ah Simon. Informative as always. Carry on Man. Carry on.

[@davidhealdjr.513]

Up until about 1:30 today, I worked across the street from the Jim Thorpe museum.

[@FunnyCODAssasin]

Nice

[@lancefisher8358]

What an absolute unit

[@bigwig8657]

Ballroom dance champions I am aware of: Bruce Lee Jim Thorpe Clearly dancing is not for the weak.

[@currykingwurst6393]

Someone needs to make a biopic about this legend.

[@mdh88]

According to a mini-biography, Thorpe was also adept at swimming, lacrosse, wrestling, golf, and tennis. Somehow this seems pretty easy to believe.

[@Johnadams20760]

i also read somehwere along the way he won a yacht racing competition as well, i mean not sure how athletics is involved but still

[@kali3665]

The great Jim Thorpe. What the Olympic Committee did to him was a crime. What WE did to him was unacceptable.

[@TallifTallonbrook]

Jim Thorp was a god that walked the earth.

[@julius-stark]

Idea for a video: where the phrase "tie the knot" came from? Not sure if you've covered it yet.

[@tomrusson6126]

I'm English and had never heard of Jim Thorpe. Great video!

[@sailingsolar]

You should endeavor to watch the movie about his life. Just so you know more.

[@tomrusson6126]

@@sailingsolar I might, sounds like an interesting, complicated guy. Might get there, may not.

[@sailingsolar]

@@tomrusson6126 I understand. FYI, 30 years after he died his medals were reinstated by the International Olympic Committee.

[@edubz1906]

The 1904 St Louis Olympic Games marathon is a hilarious and outrageous story that reminded me of this

[@metamorphicorder]

I know that this will confuse Simon but that town name is pronounced prayg. Dont ask thats just how they say it there.

[@metamorphicorder]

@Bad Cattitude always said it myama.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

@Bad Cattitude "my am a" Grew up near there. Friends went to college there as well. Never heard "me am a". Thats funny people mispronounce Amarillo. Oklahoma is full of oddly pronounced towns. I should know, I've been to most.

[@candiceyoung8244]

As part native American myself im very proud of him,and i feel he was the greatest althelete who ever lived

[@mechapineman]

No mention of the LaRue Oorang Indians? Smallest town to ever hold a NFL franchise and an all Native American team where Thorpe played and coached the team.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I thought it was a crime that Jim Thorpe didn't come in first in Sports Illustrated greatest athletes of the twentieth century edition. Could you also do a video on Babe Didrickson Zaharias?

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Jim Thorpe was my US History teacher. Well, _a_ Jim Thorpe, that is.

[@acoupleofschoes]

Forgot to add portrayed by Jason Momoa on Drunk History :)

[@im.empimp]

"Drunk History - Jim Thorpe Trains for the Decathlon" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYWkYWSEbdKja7c

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

I'd be happy to forget everything about jason momoa.

[@damnbro_idc]

I feel dumb for using blisters from high-heels as an excuse to not go to the gym.

[@YouTubecanfuckagoat]

Not Me Me too...

[@cindymckown821]

He may have had no connection to the town in Pennsylvania that took his name, but to this day the town is proud of him, and honored to be his resting place.

[@carmaela2689]

It's still wrong.

[@shilohstore6086]

Greatest athlete of all time ↘️ .

[@0Buddhaspot0]

Thanks TIFO, I have a tee w Jim on the front and I am often asked about it😁

[@petuniafuzz9083]

Everybody should see the Bert Lancaster movie about Jim Thorpe. My parents thought his story was an important part of my education.

[@petuniafuzz9083]

@@sonza68 Thank you for the tip. I just finished the second part. He was something else. I want my grandkids to see this. The youngest couldn't sit through it just yet. Thank you. ☺️

[@shelleynobleart]

Life in real time is wild and then forgotten. History like this puts it back together for us.

[@carltonleboss]

I always felt the "strict amateurism" policy was stupid-quite a few greats were denied medals because of this.

[@EthelredHardrede-nz8yv]

It was promoted by Slavery Avery. Who competed in the Modern Pentathalon against Thorpe and worked endlessly til Thorpe' medals were taken from him. Thus moving Slavery Avery up in the Olympic Record. HE was in charge of the IOC for decades and clearly hated being being beaten by a poor Amerind. Most of the athletes hated that SOB.

[@LathosZan]

Simply amazing.

[@Johnadams20760]

i would say that the fact he batted .329 in his last year in the MLB, even though it wasn't the best. that is still pretty darn good

[@Jeremy-The-Bullfrog]

So that's why that town in the Poconos is called Jim Thorpe.

[@stromagedon]

may The Creator bless Jim Thorpe.

[@killercaos123]

The definitive definition of "Legend".

[@lilimdanvers]

Jim Thrope. The Greatest American Classic Athlete.

[@treece3698]

So proud to share ancestry with Jim Thorpe!

[@chrissinclair4442]

Jim Thorpe. Athlete and if you ever played Pop Warner football, give him a thanks.

[@stuartcousins9269]

Jim Thorp is a standard by many of us lesser athletes strived for.

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

i visited Jim Thorpe, Penn 2 years ago.............nice town to visit.

[@someidiotmetalhead]

I actually live by the town named after him!

[@marlonperryman7129]

Greatest athlete ever

[@GolfPrincessCL]

Great little town (Jim Thorpe PA or Mauch Chunk PA) with lots of history that warrants it's own video (hint hint). The Molly Macguires are in many stories, too (including the hand print in the jail cell that keeps reappearing, regardless of the number of coats of paint over it).

[@macsnafu]

Jim Thorpe House is in the small town of Yale, Oklahoma. This isn't his childhood home, but a house he bought and lived in with his wife and children for a few years. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and functions as a small museum to Thorpe. There's also a small cabin in Yale that is allegedly his childhood home.

[@ehrldawg]

So that's where "Pop Warner" of Pop Warner football came from.

[@roberthudson1959]

The IOC restored his Olympic championships in 2022.

[@marksimon8393]

Jim Thorpes statue is in the National Football League Hall of Fame 🏈

[@walruso5745]

That burial is messed up

[@jasonhatt4295]

0:40 That's cool he's from Prague!

[@Pepisthe1]

There's also a college football award named after him. Given out to the top Defensive Back. That's the only reason why I knew his name before. Thank you for making this video.

[@Johnadams20760]

actaully not fore the best defensive back, for the best all around player. it is always guys who try to play in games for more than 1 position and do well like thorpe did.

[@MrShiftey13]

Damn, this dude was a BEAST!

[@billbalogh9101]

#1of the 20th century.

[@dylancolon-r2w]

His name Also means path lit by lighting

[@lostlogic2840]

I live in Canton Ohio, I literally just drove past the hall of fame, as you were saying where it was located.

[@dylanangel2870]

this was good enough to be a biographics thing

[@TheZulu13]

I have a question. What happens to all the stuff people level at the grave sites of the dead?

[@dustanglx50]

His statue is was the first thing you'd see when entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they changed the entrance, so, it's still there gracing the rotunda, but, i think you enter to the right of him now.

[@bigwig8657]

The Brightest of Paths

[@OCs_And_Stories]

I think he was the greatest athlete to ever live bar none

[@stevecannon1774]

In Oklahoma, Prague is pronounced with a long a, Praygue. Prague in the Check Republic and Prague Oklahoma are sister cities. There is a yearly Kolache festival in Oklahoma, with polka in the street and all kinds of "Bohemian" treats, music and food. It used to be very worth going to, but I haven't been back to Oklahoma for a decade or so. It is where I am from and that is so true, It's a great place to be from. The "Christians" and Repubublican'ts are so intolerant of anything and anyone who is different and pass laws to make it hard for people who are gay or female.

[@roundmike2415]

Jim Thorpe for half time entertainment during his pro football career would place kick to one goal post and then turn around and drop kick to the other side.

[@Johnny_Shields]

Why isn't this a Biographics?

[@YouTubecanfuckagoat]

Johnny Shields Good question

[@TodayIFoundOut]

Biographics and TIFO are different companies :-) -Daven

[@YouTubecanfuckagoat]

Today I Found Out Good Answer

[@Bill_Woo]

Nice going, Simon

[@oopsmybad8160]

You should do 1 on how the world health organization gave reservations a fail in America.

[@Ferret8185]

What a bitter sweet life. He should have had better.

[@mariellaesposito8194]

Where my Jim Thorpe, PA fellas at?

[@waa51797]

I’d like to hear a podcast about how Simon has probably never seen any of the movies that he just presented on the TopTenz channel 😂😂😂 I’m sure Davens seen them all

[@luissantiago5163]

This story is really neat so far.

[@fredbeach2085]

Jim Thorpe ia probably the only native American now looking down on us mere mortals from Mount Olympus.

[@madamesalamander16]

The "h" is silent in Mauch Chunk. It's pronounced "Mock Chunk." Mauch Chunk is the Lenni Lenape name for "Mountain of the Sleeping Bear."

[@staalcyclesecurities1423]

Hell yah lomita

[@chrislaursen8723]

He was a direct descendant of Black Hawk from his Potowatami mother 🤔

[@Holsp]

Wait you have Prague the capital city of Czech republic in america? Damn

[@zakleclaire1858]

I think this is the first time Ive heard a Potawatomi mentioned in a video I hadnt intentionally searched for. If your up for it, can you do a Biographic an Main Poc or Black Hawk?

[@robertreynolds9228]

Yep.

[@6thwilbury2331]

"When people make lists of the greatest athletes of the 20th century... there is one name that should always make the list, even though many people - even the biggest sports fans - might not recognize it." Granted, I work in the world of sports, so my contemporaries do not represent the general population, but I don't know very many people who WOULDN'T put Thorpe among the top five. In fact, when ESPN did its SportsCentury list about 20 years ago, my old college roommate and I were completely surprised when Thorpe checked in at No. 7. We wondered what the criteria must have been such he wasn't higher. Of course, ESPN piled a huge amount of stock in an athlete's larger impact on history and culture. And indeed, eight of the top 10 were figures who transcended sport so much that they were known even among non-sports fans. (The other two, Thorpe and Babe Didrikson Zaharias, were people who were great in multiple sports rather than being singularly transformative in one.) But yeah, anyone putting together any sort of list will have Thorpe high in the rankings, or else that person shows they are not qualified to compile it in the first place. I'll hereby request a future episode of Biographics on Thorpe. He definitely warrants the deeper-dive nature of that channel.

[@bettyscoggins7769]

Hey kid, he was never mentioned because he was American Native like me.

[@KneeDeepInTheDead81]

Whistley boi!

[@jdoggydog9812]

I live near jim thorpe

[@Serene80]

I think I read once that they posthumously returned his Olympic medals. Is that right?

[@meepmoop99]

Yes

[@discocorco]

You can always depend on Simon to deliver the facts sometimes.