Keith Olbermann and Jim Thorpe

Podcaster Keith Olbermann recently reviewed Path Lit by Lightening by David Maraniss.  Olbermann wrote this:

The last of his three wives–in what Maraniss decisively shows was a cross between a final publicity grab and a full-fledged grift–effectively spirited away Thorpe’s body hours before its intended burial in sacred ground in his native Oklahoma, and sold it to two small towns that were willing to merge and adopt as their new name “Jim Thorpe, PA.”  There are many in sports who believe the this macabre ending was righted a long time ago, but sadly Maraniss has to dispel this by confirming that the court ruling sending Thorpe’s remains home was overturned on appeal.

This is wrong on a number of levels.  First of all, the recent court ruling overturned an attempt by two Oklahoma tribes that were trying to get Jim Thorpe’s body back so it could be interred next to a casino as a tourist draw.  

Secondly, a number of Jim Thorpe's close descendants supported the town in the recent lawsuit.  They were pleased with the way the town honored Thorpe.  For just one example, the high school sports teams are called the Olympians, not the “Indians” or the “Redskins.”

Finally, the town of Jim Thorpe has treated Jim Thorpe’s remains with great respect.  Interpretive signs at the tomb detail his life, and the tomb itself is simple and dignified with statues of Thorpe as a young man.  I have never seen visitors who weren’t respectful.

Third, when the town celebrates Thorpe’s birthday, local Indians participate.  Evidently they do not find this situation “macabre.”