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Back to Athlete Bios
Athlete Bio

Glenn Morris

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 6/18/1912

Athletics Information

Event: Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Simla, Colorado High School: Simla High School College: Colorado A&M University (now Colorado State University)

Although Glenn Morris only competed in three decathlon competitions in his life, he certainly made the most of his opportunities. Following his graduation from Colorado A&M, where his greatest success came in the 400m hurdles, Morris began training in earnest for the decathlon and set the American record when he won the decathlon at the 1936 Kansas Relays with 7,576 points. He won the 1936 Olympic Trials with a world record total of 7,875 points, though the performance was never submitted for ratification. Morris easily won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics with his world record total of 7,900 points (7,254 on today's scoring tables), which gave him a winning margin of 299 points over silver medalist Bob Clark of the U.S. The 1936 AAU Sullivan Award winner, Morris later played football for the Detroit Lions of the NFL and starred in the 1938 feature film, Tarzan's Revenge. He died of congestive heart failure on January 31, 1974.

Events
Decathlon - 7900 pts.

Records Held
World Record: Decathlon - 7875 pts. (June 26, 1936)
World Record: Decathlon - 7900 pts. (August 7, 1936)
American Record: Decathlon - 7576 pts. (April 17, 1936)

Championships
1936 Olympic Games: Decathlon - 7900 pts. (1st)
1936 Olympic Trials: Decathlon - 7880 pts. (1st)

Occupations
Military
Pro Football
Acting

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