The Olympic Legends Jim Thorpe, Florence Griffith Joyner and Mark Spitz
There are many important Olympic athletes. Three of the most amazing, however, are probably Jim Thorpe, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Mark Spitz. These legends were suberb athletes as well, as amazing people.
Jim Thorpe was born on May 28, 1887 in a one-room cabin in Oklahoma. Although there is much confusion on Thorpe's date of birth, this is the date according to his estate. The career biography of Jim Thorpe reads like an encyclopedia of sports, encompassing virtually every major athletic event available. In the 1912 Olympic Games at Stockholm, he won both the pentathlon and decathlon events. In the same year, he led his Carlisle Indian School team to the national collegiate championship, scoring 25 touchdowns and 198 points. Following the college football season, Thorpe went on to play 6 years of Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, he managed to lead the Canton Bulldogs football team to unofficial world championships in 1916, 1917, and 1919. When he eventually finished his playing days in 1928 with the Chicago Cardinals, Jim Thorpe had become an athletic attraction that crowds flocked to see. Thorpe died on March 28, 1953. In 1950, the nation's press selected Jim Thorpe as the most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th Century and in 2000, he was awarded ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century. Then came that grand summer of 1912. As a child, Thorpe became his athletic father's protégé, at times running 20 miles home from school. "I never was content," he said, "unless I was trying my skill in some game against my fellow playmates or testing my endurance and wits against some member of the animal kingdom."
Florence Griffith Joyner was born December 21, 1959, in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the World's Fastest Woman for her standing World Record times in the 100 and 200 meter events, Florence Griffith Joyner, elevated women's track to a new level with her three gold and one silver medal-winning performances in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Growing up in Los Angeles, Joyner's career was launched in 1964, at age five, when Joyner's father challenged her to catch a jack rabbit, the fastest creature on the sand of the Mojave Desert. She was determined to meet the goal and she did.
Gabby Douglas was the first African-American female gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around champion. In the 2012 Olympic Games, she won gold in the team competition and the individual competition. She is a gymnastics phenom. From the beginning of her career to where she is today, she has been a true trooper through everything. Gabrielle Douglas is an inspiration to me and many others because she overcame being homeless,moved in with a new family, and won Olympic gold in gymnastics.
James Cleveland Owens otherwise known as “Jesse” was an Olympic long jumper and sprinter whose speed and inspirational defiance of Hitler shocked the world. The 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin and Adolf Hitler of the Nazi party believed that these Olympic Games would showcase the great skill of the Aryan (Caucasian) race, and the last person he would expect to show him up would be an African-American man (Barnes 1). With sixty-six U.S. Olympic contestants competing in the Games, the American race was really put on the spot in front of Hitler, the most powerful man in the world (Smith 1). Jesse Owens was one of these men, and while being laughed at by Hitler during his one hundred meter sprint against six other Caucasian sprinters, he won by a landslide. With that victory and his other three Olympic gold medals the Owens name was able to be remembered and looked up to for eternity. Jessie Owens is such a great athlete and individual because he defied Adolf Hitler, achieved more than expected of himself, and broke records with ease.
Walter Payton was born in July 25, 1954. Son of Peter and Alyne Payton, Walter Payton was born in Colombia, Missouri. Walter’s father wasn’t really into football as much as people thought, Peter Payton was a semi-pro baseball player. Walter was had one older brother Eddie, who was born 3 years before Walter but in the near future wasn’t the one to be a football star. Eddie learned a lot about football from his dad, but when Walter was born, he knew he would have competition. At a very young age Walter and Eddie would have pickup games in the backyard. When Walter was 5 he started to play in a little league. Coaches were shocked to see Walter play football, almost every time he touched the football, touchdown. Not only his parents, but the players, and the coaches noticed that the harder Walter works he could go far.
James Nathaniel Brown later known as Jim Brown was born February 17, 1936 in St. Simons Island, Georgia to parents Theresa and Swinton Brown. When he was just two weeks old his father, Swinton Brown a professional boxer, abandoned his family. Shortly after, his mother, Theresa Brown, also departed taking a job as a housekeeper in Manhasset, NY leaving Jim to be raised by his great grandmother for the first seven years of his life. At age 8 Jim reunited with his mother in Manhasset, NY where he had a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. Things improved for Jim once he found an outlet in playing sports. His athletic ability came natural. Although being the product of a broken home Jim went on to become one of the greatest professional athletes in the history of the United States. He was a 1st round 6th overall NFL draft pick in 1956 for the Cleveland Browns. During the 9 seasons he played Jim lead the league in rushing yards, and steered his team toward a championship against Baltimore winning with a score of 27-0. However even with all the success he had, and being at the peak of his career, Jim saw a life outside of football. At the age of 30 before the start of the 1966 season Jim announced his retirement. Some doubted he would stay away from football, but he never returned. (Jim Brown Biography) Instead he began focusing on social and economic causes that were directed at providing opportunities for Black people, especially Black business people (Simmonds).
On May 22, 1888, Charlotte Thorpe gave birth to Jacobus (Jim) Franciscus Thorpe and his twin brother, Charles, on an Indian reservation near modern-day Prague, Oklahoma. His Native American roots trace back to chief Black Hawk of the Sac and Fox tribe. His Native American name was Wa-tho-huk, which means “Bright Path.” As a child, he experienced many hardships and struggles. Despite those circumstances, he grew up to be the world’s greatest athlete and play six sports and star in the Olympics. Unfortunately, the Olympics didn’t work out the way he planned. Later in life, he battled health, marriage, and child issues. Undeterred by his struggles, the story of Jim Thorpe’s life is a triumphant yet tragic account of a man who overcame the impossible and the impassible to become the greatest athlete in the history of the world.
Jack William Nicklaus, born to Charlie and Helen Nicklaus on January 21, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in Ohio and attended Upper Arlington High School. In high school he played basketball and his high school gave him All-Ohio honor, he even received some scholarships, one of which was to Ohio State, the school his dad went to, but his true love was for golf. His golf career started at age ten when, for his first time playing golf shot a 51 on nine holes. From then on he won many tournaments in Ohio, including the Ohio Open. At age seventeen he competed in his first U.S. Open and at eighteen he played in his first PGA tour event. He attended Ohio State University, not because of basketball, but because of golf. While at Ohio State he won the U.S. amateur tournament twice, and the NCAA championship. Also during his Ohio State stay he played in many majors and having not won any, he finished in the top ten every time except for one where he finished thirteenth, and we have to remember this is while he was stil...
It has long been debated as to who is the best athlete of all time, yet nobody has ever really had a legitimate answer to the question. There has been so many amazing athletes over the years, from many different sports. It is hard to compare athletes from different sports to each other but, there are definitely a couple that stick out as the best of all time. A few that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, and many more. As for me, there is no doubt in my mind that Bo Jackson is the greatest athlete of all time.
Athletes waiver an uncanny amount of courage, by pushing their bodies to the test and showcasing themselves and abilities to the judgement of the public. Sports may come natural for many people, but having utmost character and bravery does not come easy to anyone. Undoubtedly, having both is a rare occasion. Being a prime example, Jackie Robinson used his natural born gifts of a strong character and personality, along with an unprecedented athletic ability. He fought for equality by dignity and hard work. Respectfully, he was one of the best in Major League baseball for his time, and sparked a Civil RIghts Movement while doing it.
Jackie Robinson shook Major League Baseball forever by showing the league officials that African Americans could qualify to play in the MLB. He was a strong individual that was able to stand up to intense observation and confrontation. Not to mention he was a tremendous athlete. Did Branch Rickey (Jackie Robinson’s agent) make a good decision in choosing Jackie Robinson?
The Williams Sisters: double trouble on the tennis court, Gabby Douglas: 2 times Olympic Gold Medalist, and Lolo Jones: a fierce Olympic competitor in hurdles and now bobsledding are all present day athletes that have captivated headlines with their accomplishments through sports. The Civil Rights Movement altered everyday life for all African Americans and soon other minorities in America. The movement also changed the world of sports for African American legends to come as well. Previous accomplishments of African Americans in sports propelled Althea Gibson to make her mark in history. Althea would change the world of sports, impact future athletes to come, and leave her mark in history. Her athletic greatness would not only be bestowed on the tennis court, but golfy would receive its fair share of Althea’s greatness as well. None of her accomplishments would have been made possible without the Civil Rights Movement that allowed African Americans to enter the world of sports.
It is evident that Jesse Owens proved to the world what no one at the time believed could be achieved. At a time when Blacks were not equal, there was no appreciation possible in the eyes of the Americans until the civil rights movement following after the cold war. Jesse Owens dealt with much more than any African American could ever imagine. Regardless of his immense achievements, Owens did not receive recognition for such important winnings until several years after the 1936 Olympics. Despite the hate that Owens received, he was able to surpass such negativity by being involved in other organizations and through this, Owens was victorious not only on the track but also as normal human being.
Dr. Drew was born in 1904, In Washington D.C. He was the oldest of five children. Throughout his academic career, he was greatly involved in sports and was a great competitor. He was an avid athlete playing many sports such as track, football, and
The contradictory topic of Jim Thorpe and what should have been done with his medals and trophies leaves us with a heated debate. James Francis Thorpe aka Jim Thorpe,was born on May 28th 1887. Jim grew up as part of the Sac and Fox tribe. His father Hiram Thorpe and mother Mary James were strong parents, and part of the reason that Jim excelled in athletics. Jim grew up playing 3 main sports of: track and field, football, as well as baseball. Jim was a sight to see at all three sports. According to (http://www.cmgww.com/sports/thorpe/bio/bio.html) Jim had played for the professional team of the New York Giants in football and and many professional baseball teams. Jim was part of the U.S olympic team for track and field.
They were great athletes and are still spoken of today as role models. Drew Astorino was a senior the year of...
Attention Getter: Mia Hamm. Peyton Manning. Steve Nash. Here are just a few great athletes that most of us have heard of. But what is it that makes us look up to them? What is it that makes them great? The truth is that sports are only a small part of what makes a person worthy of looking up to.