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Thorpe Meets Rockne Story Released

1946 - The Miami News Sports Editor, Guy Butler, released a story told to him by Jim Thorpe. Thorpe...
March 25 Current Day: March 26 March 27

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch

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Football History

"Thorpe Meets Rockne Story Released"

Last updated 📅 2025-03-26

1946 - The Miami News Sports Editor, Guy Butler, released a story told to him by Jim Thorpe. Thorpe recanted a tale of the first time he met the legendary Knute Rockne.

In 1915, Thorpe Jr. began his professional football career after a season with the baseball Giants. The Canton Bulldogs were reformed (the team went on hiatus after a 1906 scandal), and they scheduled a game against the Massillon Tigers. These teams had their initial professional football beginnings back in 1902.

This was Thorpe's first experience with professional football. The game occurred midway between Massillon and Canton, Ohio; the towns are about eight miles apart. That afternoon, Thorpe met Knute Rockne for the first time. Rockne played end for Massillon, while Thorpe was a halfback for Canton.

Jim Thorpe undoubtedly played his best football with Canton in those first few years, surpassing his Carlisle performances. Jim surprised the sports world with his speed and skill. He played this challenging game until he was 41. He could hit an opponent with tremendous force, which became evident on this fateful day against Massillon.

Once, Thorpe faced a young, eager tackle trying to impress his teammates with his toughness, believing professional football was perfect for him. He was overly enthusiastic about tackling and wouldn't stop. So, the next time he went for a tackle, Thorpe says he stopped, intentionally dropped the ball, and the brash Massillon end picked it up. Then, bam! He didn't see it coming; the "Burley Indian" struck him, and he was knocked unconscious.

Thorpe told him not to do that again, but how could he respond? He was out cold.

That was the first encounter of football legends Jim Thorpe and Knute Rockne.

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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch _________________________

Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in othre team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch. _________________________

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