JIM THORPE

Jim Thorpe was a Native American Indian athlete and Olympic medalist, winning two gold medals and two challenge prizes in the 1912 Olympics. Sadly, he was stripped of his medals after it was discovered he played professional baseball two years prior (which other athletes did, but they used aliases!). Thorpe went on to play professional baseball for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and the Boston Braves, retiring in 1919. He also played professional football in the 1920s! He passed away in 1953 at the age of 65. Thirty years after his death, the International Olympic Committee restored Thorpe's medal winnings, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century!