Jim Thorpe

:This article refers to the football & baseball player. To see the city in Pennsylvania see Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Legacy

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Initially, Thorpe's family wanted to bury him in Oklahoma and erect a monument there, but the governor did not allow this. When Thorpe's third wife, Patricia, heard that the small Pennsylvania town of Mauch Chunk was desperately seeking to attract business, she struck a deal with the town. Mauch Chunk bought Thorpe's remains, erected a monument to him, and renamed the town in his honor (see Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania). Thorpe's monument, featuring the quote from Gustav V, can still be found there.

Related Topics:
Mauch Chunk - Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

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Thorpe also received great acclaim from the press. Before his death, in 1950, an Associated Press poll among sportswriters voted Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century, while another poll elected him as the best football player over the same period. By the end of the century, memories of Thorpe had faded a little, but he still was listed near the top of many "athlete of the century" lists.

Related Topics:
Associated Press - 20th century

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In 1951, while Thorpe was still alive, a feature film about his life was released. Jim Thorpe: All-American starred Burt Lancaster, and was directed by Michael Curtiz (the director of Casablanca). Thorpe did not earn any money for the movie, as he had already sold the film rights to MGM in 1931 (for $1500). The movie was titled "Man of Bronze" when released in the UK.

Related Topics:
1951 - Burt Lancaster - Michael Curtiz - Casablanca - MGM - 1931 - UK

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In 1963, Jim Thorpe received the NFL's highest honor, induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In addition, Thorpe is also memorialized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame rotunda with the larger-than-life Jim Thorpe Statue.

Related Topics:
1963 - NFL - Pro Football Hall of Fame

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In 1986, the Jim Thorpe Award was established, awarded to the best defensive back in college football.

Related Topics:
1986 - Jim Thorpe Award - Defensive back - College football

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