IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa defensive back Desmond King has been named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Iowa’s 10-6 win at Wisconsin Saturday. He was earlier named the Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week.
The Jim Thorpe Award was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.