The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 105

"im Thorpe was. the greatest all- around athlete in the history of recorded sports, dating back to he was quick, and twice he crashed into the Canton backfield to nail Thorpe for losses. "Hey, kid," said Thorpe reproachfully each time, "you shouldn't do that. The people paid to see old Jim run." "Go ahead, said the fiery Rockne. "run if you can." On the next play Thorpe swung wide around Rockne's-end.

Rockne tunneled in to meet him. Thorpe jolted him with a stiff arm, brought his knee up hard into Rockne's chest and wacked him with a hip, then straightened up and zipped 60 yards for a touchdown. Two men hovered over Rockne, dazed, as Thorpe trotted back to midfield. "Good boy. Rock," said the Indian, "you let old Jim run for the people" of the Sac and Fox tribe, who defeated the Osage and the Cherokee in battle.

Chief Black Hawk's daughter was the maternal grandmother of the boy born in a tiny, two-room Oklahoma farmhouse in 1888. His Indian name was Wa-Tho-Huck, or Bright Path. He became one of America's first great sports heroes while earning Ail-American honors in 1911 and 1912 at the Carlisle Indian School inPennsylva-nia, and by winning the Decathlon and Pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics. The stories of his accomplishments on the football fields of the best college teams of the time are legend. He went on to play both professional football and baseball.

Football- that was Jim's sport, his life and his plaything. The money wasn't big he started out with the Canton Bulldogs at S250 a game, and he never made more than $500 a game. But it sustained him as an athlete until he was well into his forties. Professional football had flourished earlier in eastern Ohio, then vanished for a decade because of a betting scandal. In 1915, Thorpe gave it new impetus as the most famous athlete of the time.

Canton and Massillon were the great rivals and the teams hired the best money could buy. The Massillon Tigers recruited the famous Notre Dame passing combination of Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne. Rockne lined up at end, determined to stop the legendary Indian. Rockne didn't have much size, but Coroebus of Elis in the eighth century before the birth of Christ. He was also the first presidentof the firstnationally organized professional football league, an organization that became today's NFL.

He was the first great performer of that league, its highest paid player, both the precursor and the prototype of the running back who has become the essential pawn in this violent game of human chess. That is all part of the legend. James Francis Thorpe was in reality a simple man who revelled in the-playing of games. He was bom to the great tradition of Black Hawk, a chief THE ABE LEMONS AWARD Hedrick, Hertz Corporation; Lyn Hester, Baptist Medical Center; and Steven Scott, attorney. Previous win This award, initiated in 1990, is presented to a member of the Jim Thorpe.

Executive Council who has demonstrated a dedication to Oklahoma and the Jim Thorpe Association, who believes in our goals of positive spirit and a brighter image, and especially, someone you can count on to be there when you need them. Nominees for the 1992 award, to be presented in January, are Cynthia Cope, Southwestern Bell; Tom Goldsworthy, Fremont Energy; Mike ners Abe Unions were John "Jack" Madden, andC Dean York, Oklahoma City Clinic. JIM THORPE AWARD FOR BEST COLLEGE DEFENSIVE BAGK OKLAHOMA JIM THORPEAAU AMATEUR ATHLETE AWARD The Jim Thorpe Award is an 18 12" solid bronze statuette of the legendary Oklahoma athlete. Thorpe excelled as a runner, passer and kicker and was a fearsome defensive back. George Hal as, late owner of the Chicago Bears said getting tackled by Thorpe was "like getting hit with a 4x4." The award was founded in 1986 to honor the best defensive back in college football based on performance, ability, and character.

It has taken its place alongside the Heisman, Out and, Butkus and Lombard! awards as one of the major highlights of the college football season. Winners of the award include: 1986 Thomas Everett, Baylor 1987 CTie) Bennie Blades, Miami 1988 Dei on Sanders, Florida State 1989 Mark Carrier, USC 1990 Darryll Lewis, Arizona 1991 Terrell Buckley, Florida State The winner of the award will be kl aho an' nominee for the Sullivan Award presented to the person recognized nationally as Initiated in October; 1992, this award succeeds the OklahomaSullivan Award presented in past years by the Oklahoma Association of the Amateur Athletic Union. The award was presented this year at the Oklahoma AAU association's annual honors luncheon to Olympic medalist Shannon Miller of Miller. Shannon tiler America's best amateur athlete JIM THORPE ASSOCIATION LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD COACHES HIGH SCHOOL ALL STATE AWARDS The Jim Thorpe Association, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Coaches Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, presents the Jim Thorpe All State Awards to the outstanding athlete in each sport included in the annual All State Games. To be eligible, an athlete must participate in the All State Games.

Initiated in of the award include: time of service and dedication to the people of Oklahoma, contributions to our sports heritage and support of the Jim Thorpe Association goals. It is not an annual award and is given only when there is an exceptionally deserving One of the most prestigious honors presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, only two individuals have received this recognition, former Governor George Nigh and former OCU basketball coach Abe Lemons. The award is presented for a life Golf Craig Cozby, Barllcsville Wrestling T.J. Jaworsky, Edmond Kevin King, Braggs Mike Maddox, Putnam City Richard Dumas, Tulsa Glen Bell, Muskogee Todd Chesbro, Stillwater 1987 Baseball Basketball Washington Football Wrestling 1988 JIM THORPE TROPHY FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN THE NFL Founded in 1955 by columnist Murray Olderman, the Jim Thorpe Trophy is the oldest continuous award in professional 1991 Baseball Basketball Football Golf Wrestling Jimmie Byington, Tulsa Union Erie Weins, Oologah Rafael Dcnson, Ardmore Chris Edgmon, Edmond Jerry Best, Chandler football. Re-designed in 1987 to feature a bronze statuette of Jini Thorpe, the award has been presented since then by the Jim Thorpe Association.

A replica sits in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and each year the winner's name is added to the exhibit. Previous Winners of the Jim Thorpe Trophy are: Rodger Burnett, Broken Arrow Lee Mayberry, Tulsa Rogers Tony Levy, Wynnewood Ray Miller, Mailow Baseball Basketball Football Wrestling 1989 Baseball Basketball Football Wrestling 1990 Baseball Basketball 1992 Baseball Basketball Football West Golf (Ladies) Enid Gold (Men) Tennis (Ladies) Tennis (Men) Edison Wrestling A.J. Hindi, Midwest City Ryan Minor, Hammon Ben Rutz, Putnam City Kerri Prammanasudh, Dax Johnston, Yukon Jennifer Perkins, Duncan Bradon Selby, Tulsa Jacob Newby, Wcstmoore 1965 Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns 1964 Lenny Moore, Baltimore 1963 Jim Brown, Cleveland and YA. Tiule, N.Y. Gaints 1962 Jim Taylor, Green Bay 1961 Y.A.

Title, N.Y. Gaints 1960 Norm Van Brocklin, Phila. 1959 Chas. Conerly, N.Y. Gaints 1958 Jim Brown, Cleveland 1957 John Unitas, Baltimore 1956 Frank GifTord, N.Y.

Giants 1955 Harlon Hill, Chicago Bears 1991 Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills 1990 Warren Moon, Houston Oilers 1989 Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers 1988 Roger Craig, San Francisco 49ers 1987 Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers 1986 Phil Sirams, N.Y. Giants 1985 Walter Payton, Chicago Bears 1984 Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins 1983 Joe Theism an, Washington, Redskins 1982 Dan Fouls, San Diego Chargers 1981 Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals 1980 Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers 1979 Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers 1978 Walter Payton, Chicago Bears 1977 Walter Payton, Chicago Bears 1976 Ben Jones, Baltimore Colts 1975 Fran Tarkenlon, Minnesota 1974 Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders 1973 O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills 1972 Larry Brown, Washington 1971 Bob Griese, Miami Dolphins 1970 John Brodie, San Francisco 1969 Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles 1968 Earl Morrali, Baltimore Colts 1967 John Unitas, Baltimore Colts 1966 Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers Lloyd Pecver, Ada Jeff Webster, Carl Albert Dewell Brewer, Lawlon Joseph (Joey) Mickey, Millwood Mark Ferguson, Tulsa Union Rodney Foster, Midwest City Brian DeBose, Tulsa, McLain Rickey Brady, Putnam City West Football.