Oorang Indians

June 24, 1922 -  Oorang Indians franchise forms and survives in the 1922 through the 1923 season. The Ohio History Central website indicates that this team featured Jim Thorpe and every member of the squad was of Native American descent. 

The team was based in La Rue, Ohio and was very active in the early 1920s APFA. A guy by the name of  Walter Lingo established the franchise in an effort to promote his Oorang dog kennels. La Rue, Ohio, is the smallest community ever to have sponsored a National Football League franchise. However, the Oorang Indians never played a single game in La Rue. All twenty of the team's games during the 1922 and 1923 seasons were on the road. So how did that work out? Well in the team's first season, the Indians finished twelfth in the league, with a record of two wins, six losses, and zero ties. The next season, the team finished eighteenth, with one win, ten losses, and zero ties. Needless to say with only 3 victories and no home games the Oorang Indians had to fold up shop after the 1923 season.

Step into the legendary world of Jim Thorpe, an athlete whose extraordinary talent transcended multiple sports and whose impact resonates through history. This series will explore the unparalleled achievements of a man who was not only an Olympic hero, winning gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon, but also a pivotal figure in the early days of professional football. More than just an athlete, Thorpe was a Native American trailblazer who broke barriers and captivated audiences with his exceptional abilities on the field and track.

From his formative years at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School under the guidance of the legendary Pop Warner to his pivotal role in establishing professional football leagues, Thorpe's story is one of incredible versatility and perseverance. We'll delve into his dominance on the gridiron, his leadership as the first president of the American Professional Football Association (later the NFL), and the enduring legacy of a true American icon. Join us as we celebrate the remarkable life and career of Jim Thorpe, a name forever etched in the annals of sporting greatness.