Medal helps repair wrongs experienced by Jim Thorpe
Mike James, the Jim Thorpe Museum’s president and executive director, has grown close with the Thorpe family throughout his life.
He bonded with Thorpe’s late sons Bill, Jack and Richard. In 2018, shortly before Bill’s death in 2019, he had a conversation with James about how wrongs were being righted regarding his father’s legacy.
One was in 1983 when his Olympic medals were restored after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped his titles when his amateur
status was withdrawn. In 2022, the IOC restored Thorpe’s records.
When Thorpe — who was Sac and Fox and born near Prague — was awarded his two medals by King Gustav of Sweden, the king said to him, “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.”
While that distinction has lasted over 100 years, he’ll eternally be recognized as a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. President Joe Biden bestowed the honor posthumously Friday in a ceremony attended by Thorpe’s grandchildren and greatgrandchildren at The White House.
For James, the recognition by the president of the United States of Thorpe’s life is another important milestone in history.
“It should mean a lot to the state of Oklahoma and to the United States,” James told The Oklahoman. “To this day, people still know and recognize the name Jim Thorpe. How great is that for Oklahoma?”
Thorpe was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. He’s also known as the country’s original multisport superstar. He played professional football, baseball and basketball. The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
The only other athlete awarded the honor Friday was Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky.
“I grew up always hearing about Jim Thorpe as not just the greatest ballplayer, the greatest athlete of all time,” Biden said during the ceremony. “(My grandfather) talked about him all the time.
“Jim Thorpe showcased unparalleled athleticism and he transcended racial barriers.”
Over spring break, two visitors who had traveled over 4,000 miles strolled into the Jim Thorpe Museum at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
James was in the office that day and happened to greet the patrons. The museum employs just three workers and welcomes over 200 people a week since moving to Bricktown.
“Welcome to the Jim Thorpe Museum,” James said as he frequently does, “Where are you from?”
The answer he received floored him and served as a reminder of Thorpe’s remaining global legacy. The visitors were from Belgium and embarking on a Route 66 trip and when mapping their trip, they circled the museum as a must-see destination. Why? The duo studied Thorpe in school and his two gold medals in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, where 33 Belgians competed, remain fabled.
James, whose goal through the museum is to carry on Thorpe’s mission of encouraging excellence through sport and health, was invited by the Thorpe family to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“For me, it’s beyond humbling,” James said. “I was blown away (by the invitation), the fact that they think so highly about us and what we’re doing in Oklahoma City to honor the legacy of Jim Thorpe and to keep that alive and in front of people.”
Each time Bill would visit the museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Jim Thorpe’s personal memorabilia, James asked him to tell him a story about his father he didn’t know. One day, Bill showed him a photograph of his father running with children and shared that his passion was helping kids live an addictive free and active life.
In his honor, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame operates one of the largest drug, alcohol, tobacco and vape free initiatives in the state.
Many of Thorpe’s accomplishments came before the country he was born in recognized him as a citizen, and he endured racism throughout his life. Despite being unfairly treated and never seeing his athletic achievement awards reinstated during his lifetime, he continued breaking down barriers on and off the field.
“Now, with our current president recognizing Jim Thorpe (it means a lot),” James said. “For either his contribution to the country or to the world, I think Jim Thorpe fits in both. Not only did he represent the United States at the 1912 Olympics, he wasn’t even a citizen.”
It’s safe to say wrongs are being righted.