. College Football Hall of Fame - 1951
. Charter Enshrinee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - 1963
. All-America - 1911, 1912
. Olympic Decathlon and Pentathlon Champion - 1912
. AP Most Outstanding Athlete of the First Half of the 20th Century - 1950
. "America's Greatest Football Player of the half-century" - 1950
. ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century - 2001
. Track and Field Hall of Fame
. In 1950, the nation's press selected Jim Thorpe as the most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th Century
. From 1996-2001, he was continuously awarded ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century award
2006-12-27 07:59:30 · 11 answers · asked by Beatleman 1 in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
Of all time is NOT a fair question or comparison as diets, training and competition change so rapidly. JT was the greatest athlete of his time.
2006-12-27 10:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by jimbo1058 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not even the best Jim.
Jim Brown was the best LACROSSE player in the country while at Syracuse U. He decided to play a little football afterwards and retired, Barry Sanders style, with 12,312 rushing yards...the most by any NFL player up to that point. Had he held on Emmitt Smith-style, he may have gone over 20,000 and set many insurmountable records.
Thorpe does have that decathlon to fall back on, but physically, Jim Brown was bigger, stronger, and probably faster than Thorpe. We'll never know how Jim Brown would have done in track and field, and that is a pity.
2006-12-27 08:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by huskerfanhammy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have to say as far as athletes go for their time, yes. No one is going to match what Jim did during his time but at the same time what would he do if matched in the same sports with players from today?
I think best athlete is someone that couldn't be beat no matter what generations greats you put them up against they would prevail.
Jim Brown was also mentioned but at the same time, he stopped before he could show what weaknesses there were.
I have a hard time placing a vote for Ali. Then you can talk about what sports are really "sports." Golf, cycling, tennis, etc.
I would have to say that I think that Tiger would take people over all generations and the same could be said for Lance Armstrong.
2006-12-27 11:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by nautiest_monkey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jim Thorpe would certainly be right up there with the best ever athletes known worldwide not just an American footballer that most people have never heard of.
2006-12-27 08:16:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without question! Jim Thorpe was the greatest athlete of all time. His feats will never be attempted again. A pure all around athlete
2006-12-27 08:22:24 · answer #5 · answered by Noel V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thorpe was voted best for first half. I think Ali or Jim Brown would get it the 2nd half. Who would you rather have as your running back Jim Brown or Thorpe? I'll take Brown.
2006-12-27 10:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by gman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember, his amature career was cut short.
However, most likely the best ever..
2006-12-27 08:29:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
quite possibly
2006-12-27 08:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by wind cries mary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
may be seeing ur list of achievments.yes
2006-12-27 08:10:06 · answer #9 · answered by ganesh n 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering his credentials that you have already mentioned...........
Yes!
2006-12-27 08:02:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋