Franklin Jacobs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1957-12-31) December 31, 1957 (age 67)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	High jump
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	High jump: 2.32 m (1978)

Franklin Jacobs was born on December 31, 1957, in the United States. He was a talented high jumper. In 1978, he set a world indoor record by jumping 2.32 meters (7 ft 7+1⁄4 in). What's even more amazing is that this jump was 59 centimeters (23 in) higher than Franklin's own height of 1.73 meters (5 ft 8 in)! This incredible difference between his height and his jump is still a world record, shared with another athlete named Stefan Holm.

Franklin Jacobs' Early Life and Start in Sports

Franklin Jacobs grew up in a big family. He was one of ten children. His family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, when he was three years old. They lived with relatives.

How Did Franklin Jacobs Start High Jumping?

Franklin's first favorite sport was basketball. He played basketball for his high school team at Paterson East-side High. He only started high jumping in his last year of high school. This was after the basketball season ended. Even without much training, he quickly jumped 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m). He had a natural talent for jumping. He even called his unique jumping style the "Jacobs Slop" at first. Later, he changed the name to the "Slope" because of how he launched himself into the air.

College Years and Breaking Records

Franklin Jacobs barely finished high school. He did not get a special sports scholarship. But he was able to go to Fairleigh Dickinson University with help from a government grant.

Setting a World Record in High Jump

In his first year of college, Franklin jumped 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m). In March 1977, he hurt his right leg playing basketball. But he kept competing for over a year without getting surgery. Over the next two years, he became a rival to another famous high jumper, Dwight Stones. People in the media often talked about how different they were. Franklin was shorter and from the city. Dwight was tall and from California. Dwight sometimes made fun of Franklin's unusual jumping style.

But Franklin proved them wrong! He beat Dwight Stones at the 1978 Millrose Games. This big event was held in Madison Square Garden. There, Franklin set a new world indoor record of 2.32 meters (7 ft 7+1⁄4 in). He could have tried to jump even higher, but he decided not to. He said he "didn't feel nervous enough." Two months later, another athlete named Vladimir Yashchenko broke Franklin's record. In July, Franklin competed against Yashchenko in a big event between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Franklin lost to Yashchenko by a small margin. In August, Franklin won the Tanqueray Award for being an amazing amateur athlete. By then, he had won 27 college events!

The 1980 Olympics and After

Franklin Jacobs hoped to earn a lot of money from sponsors after the 1980 Olympics. But the United States decided not to go to the Games that year. This was a huge disappointment for Franklin.

Life After High Jump

He was so upset that he did not want to go to the U.S. "Olympic Trials." He only went because his college asked him to. But he failed to clear his opening height. After this, he stopped high jumping and did not go back to college. He had planned to compete again in 1982, but it did not happen. In 1991, he said, "I was upset and my dreams were shattered." He felt like his chances were gone.

Franklin Jacobs later worked different jobs in Paterson, New Jersey. He worked for a construction company for several years. Around 1990, he married Naomi Livingston. They had a daughter named Shannon in 1992. Around 1995, his family moved to Gilbert, Arizona. In 1998, he was working for an electrical company. That same year, he went to a special event at the Millrose Games. It was a tribute to past stars of the competition.

Franklin Jacobs' Major Competition Results

Franklin Jacobs won many awards during his high jumping career. Here are some of his top results:

See also

• Men's high jump indoor world record progression