I think it is fair to say that the average sports fan today knows of Jim Thorpe as the annual award given to the best defensive back in college football. Players such as Patrick Peterson, Eric Berry, Charles Woodson, Deion Sanders and Lawrence Wright have all been presented with the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, but the man behind the name is often overlooked.
Admittedly, I knew the bare minimum about Thorpe, until esteemed historian Robert W. "Bob" Wheeler and his son, MIT senior Rob Wheeler, brought his story to my attention, shedding light on a relatively unknown controversy surrounding his burial. I felt compelled to share this incredible story with sports fans who would appreciate its significance.
