Jim Thorpe Hall Of Fame NFL

Jim Thorpe is celebrated as one of the greatest all-around athletes in American sports history and a foundational figure in early professional football. A star in multiple sports, Thorpe brought rare strength, speed, and versatility to the gridiron. He played for several early NFL teams, including the Canton Bulldogs, and served as one of the league’s first major drawing forces. Thorpe was also named the first president of what became the National Football League, helping shape the sport’s earliest years.

On the field, he excelled as a running back, defensive back, kicker, and punter, showcasing unmatched skill in every phase of the game. Thorpe’s influence extended far beyond statistics—he legitimized professional football during its infancy and became a national icon of athletic excellence. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, Thorpe remains a symbol of versatility, competitive spirit, and the early growth of the NFL.

Thorpe's Awards and Honors

• 3× Ohio League champion (1916, 1917, 1919)
• First-team All-Pro (1923)
• NFL 1920s All-Decade Team
• NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• 3× Ohio League champion as coach (1916, 1917, 1919)

NFL Records

• One of the founding figures of the NFL
• Among the earliest stars to play multiple positions at an elite level
• Key contributor to Canton Bulldogs’ league dominance

NFL Teams

As Player-
Canton Bulldogs (1915–1917, 1919–1920, 1926)
Cleveland Indians (1921)
Oorang Indians (1922–1923)
Rock Island Independents (1924)
New York Giants (1925)
Chicago Cardinals (1928)
As Coach-
Canton Bulldogs (1915–1920)
Cleveland Indians (1921)
Oorang Indians (1922–1923)
Tampa Cardinals (1926)