Morris Kirksey
PersonAbout
Morris Marshall Kirksey was a versatile American athlete born on September 13, 1895, in Waxahachie, Texas. He is renowned for his achievements in both track and field and rugby union. Kirksey moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at a young age and graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1913. He later attended Stanford University, where he excelled as a sprinter, winning the IC4A championships in the 100 yards event. Kirksey's most notable achievements came at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, where he won two gold medals. He anchored the U.S. 4x100-meter relay team to a gold medal and also helped the American rugby team defeat France to claim another gold. Kirksey earned a silver medal in the 100-meter sprint. After his athletic career, he pursued a medical degree from St. Louis Medical College and worked as a staff psychiatrist for the state Department of Corrections. He passed away on November 25, 1981, in San Mateo, California[1][3].
