Jim Thorpe - All-American Page #2

You will keep them cleaned

and pressed for daily inspection.

You will also fill out these forms indicating

your preference for industrial training.

That's a pretty sloppy bed.

You'd better learn how to keep it neat

if you expect to stay here.

I'm not sure I'm going to stay here.

Studying didn't come easy to Jim.

He crammed until late hours

to keep up with his class

and often fell asleep over his books,

his mind restless and troubled.

When he could stand it no longer,

he began to run.

And once again he found relief

in the sheer physical joy of running.

On your marks.

Get set.

Who is that?

Go!

Either I need a new watch

or we've got a new runner.

You're Jim Thorpe?

- That's right.

- Glad to meet you, Jim. I'm Pop Warner.

You mind if I sit down?

I'd like to talk to you a minute.

No.

That's quite an exhibition

you put on this morning.

- Exhibition?

- Don't you know what you did?

You ran the 220 in 23 seconds flat

with your clothes on.

Why haven't you come out for the team?

Well, I hadn't figured

on coming out for the team.

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.

Well, I guess you know

what you're doing, Pop.

Remember, these people came here

to see a track meet.

They'll see one. Call your first event.

Come on, team.

Get on your marks.

Get set...

We've read all about you, Mr. Thorpe,

and we're very proud of you.

Thank you.

I'm sure we can have this sewn on for you.

I'll get one of the girls. Come with me.

Margaret?

- Yes, Miss Benton?

- Will you come here a minute, please?

Margaret, this is Jim Thorpe.

He's won his letter

and he wants us to sew it on for him.

- Will you be good enough?

- Certainly, Miss Benton.

- About here?

- Yes, I guess so.

- Would you take your sweater off, please?

- Yes, please.

Won't you sit down?

- Here you are, Mr. Thorpe.

- Thank you.

There.

Oh, I'm sorry, a loose thread.

Excuse me.

- There, I think that will do it.

- Thank you, ma'am.

Oh, that's fine, Margaret.

Thank you very much.

Hey, chief, bedtime.

- Hey, what are you mumbling about?

- American history bad.

What have you got

against American history?

White man lick Indian, he win great battle.

Indian lick white man, massacre.

Crazy!

I never thought about that.

Crazy!

See? Captain of the football team.

That's how you get the prettiest girls

and the biggest letters.

- Hello, Bright Path.

- Hello.

"All candidates for football squad,

"please report to Coach Glenn S. Warner

at 3:
00 p.m."

Every time I look at this football schedule

I get dizzy.

We can't play teams of this caliber, Glenn.

Harvard, Army, Minnesota, Penn!

- Very impressive schedule.

- What're we gonna do for material?

Half the kids think

a pigskin's something to eat for breakfast.

- Pop.

- Hello, Jim.

Saw your notice on the bulletin board.

Kind of thought I might

like to look into this game of football.

Forget it, son. You're a track man.

These legs of yours are too valuable

to be risked in a tough game like football.

But I thought maybe

if you needed someone to...

Thanks for trying to help. Forget it, Jim.

Any chance of using me, Mr. Warner?

- What for?

- Oh, some kind of executive job.

I've been taking a class

in business management.

I thought perhaps

I could help out in one of...

I've got just the job for you.

Executive job.

Now, boys, remember what I told you.

Heads up, eyes open,

dig those legs in and charge.

Hit them hard.

Ready. Charge!

No, no, no, Little Boy.

I told you to dig those legs in and hit him.

- Him no stand still.

- Well, that's very inconsiderate of him.

All right, now, try it again.

Hit him hard this time.

Ready. Come on, come on! Now, charge!

Hey, watch the wind when you kick!

- What are you doing in that outfit?

- I thought I'd come out for the team.

Jim, how many times do I have to tell you.

Get back inside and take off those clothes.

I'm coming out for the team.

Oh, so you're coming out for the team.

No matter what I say?

All right.

What do you know about drop-kicking?

- Nothing. But I can learn.

- Get over there with those men.

I thought you were saving him for track.

Just because he's on the squad

doesn't mean I'm gonna let him play.

Miss Miller.

- Miss Miller.

- Oh, hello, Mr. Thorpe.

- Do you mind if I walk with you?

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