Pop Warner was hesitant to allow Thorpe, his best track and field athlete, to compete in such a physical game as football. Thorpe, however, convinced Warner to let him try some rushing plays in practice against the school team's defense; Warner assumed he would be tackled easily and give up the idea. Thorpe "ran around past and through them not once, but twice". He walked over to Warner and said, "Nobody is going to tackle Jim", while flipping him the ball.
Pop Warner was hesitant to allow Thorpe his best track and field athlete to compete in such a physical game as football Thorpe however convinced Warner to let him try some rushing plays in practice against the school team's defense; Warner assumed he would be tackled easily and give up the idea Thorpe "ran around past and through them not once but twice" He walked over to Warner and said "Nobody is going to tackle Jim" while flipping him the ball