Jim Thorpe - All-American Page #3

You just run for exercise, is that it?

I don't rightly know why I run.

You don't like it here, do you?

- No, I don't.

- Then why have you come?

Because I promised someone. He's dead.

You know,

you're the first Sac and Fox I've met here.

- That's Oklahoma Territory, isn't it?

- Yes.

Originally from Wisconsin.

- Illinois.

- Oh, yes, Illinois.

Part of the Algonquins.

- Yes, that's right.

- A great warrior tribe, great traditions.

What do they do now?

Oh, a little farming, little weaving.

- They sell blankets at the railway station.

- Yes, I know.

That's why Carlisle was founded, Jim.

So that your people can do more

than sell blankets at the railway station.

The trouble is that too many Indian boys

take the easy way out.

They quit school

and go back to the reservation.

How are you getting along

with your studies?

Well, not very good, I'm afraid.

I never was much with books.

Yes, I know what you mean.

Studying, reading, doing a lot of things,

come awfully hard.

I had the same problems

when I went to school.

- It's always hard at the beginning.

- Well, it's more than that, Mr. Warner.

I don't know what I want to do,

or what I want to be.

Look around you, Jim, at those faces.

All of those kids have problems.

A lot of them don't know

what they want to be,

what they want to do.

They'll find out soon enough

what they want most in life.

So will you.

All I'm trying to say is,

give Carlisle a chance.

And, incidentally,

don't be afraid of sports, Jim.

Good for you. Teach you how to relax.

Make you sleep well.

Look me up.

You'll find me in my office

or the athletic field.

Been nice talking to you.

Get some lift into that takeoff foot.

No, no, no, Ed!

You dragged it off with your hand.

Watch that.

Hello, Jim. Like to take a whack at it?

Go ahead, it won't bite you.

No, no. You're doing the same thing.

Watch that, will you? Get some lift into it.

Pretty good, Jim.

Very good for a first jump!

Let's try it again.

Watching Thorpe in succeeding weeks

was like watching

a magnificent young stallion,

untamed and unbroken,

but with a natural athletic aptitude

that was incredible.

And as he found a means of expression

in sports,

the hard shell which had always

surrounded him seemed to soften a little.

Finally one day for the first time,

Jim found himself facing competition

against other college athletes.

Pop, it's 2:
30.

The meet's supposed to start.

- Well, let's get started.

- Well, where's your team?

Right here.

Now wait a minute, you're joking,

aren't you?

This is Louis Tewanima.

He runs the mile, two miles,

three miles and up.

And this is Jim Thorpe.

- And what does he do?

- Everything else.

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