Grandpa used to keep a picture of Jim Thorpe in his wallet and each practice, he would pull it out and show the kids. He explained to them what sacrifice meant and how Jim Thorpe, having all the odds against him, rose up and became the greatest athlete in human history. One kid, James I think his name was, always had a tear in his eye after the speech and Grandpa would wipe his tears off with the hand towel that hung around his shorts. He would then give Jimmy a slight pat and send him off on the field and Grandpa would stare off into the distance, dreaming that one day James will be the next Jim Thorpe. He would make sure of this personally. Not only was Grandpa motivational, he was compassionate.
