Franklin Jacobs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Franklin Jacobs

Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1957-12-30) December 30, 1957 (age 68)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	High jump
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	High jump: 2.32 m (1978)

Franklin Jacobs, born on December 30, 1957, is a former high jumper from the United States. He was an amazing athlete! In 1978, he set a world indoor record in the high jump. He jumped 2.32 meters (about 7 feet, 7 and a half inches).

What's even more incredible is that this jump was 59 centimeters (about 23 inches) higher than his own height of 1.73 meters (about 5 feet, 8 inches)! This difference between his height and his jump height is still a record today. He shares this record with another athlete named Stefan Holm.

The Early Life of Franklin Jacobs

Franklin Jacobs grew up in a big family. He was one of ten children. When he was three, his family moved to Paterson, New Jersey. They lived with four cousins.

Discovering High Jump Talent

Franklin's first favorite sport was basketball. He played basketball for Paterson East-side High School. He only started high jumping in his last year of high school. This was after the basketball season ended.

In that first year, he jumped 2.03 meters (about 6 feet, 8 inches). He had a natural talent for jumping. He even had his own unique style! He first called it the "Jacobs Slop." Later, he changed the name to the "Slope." This name came from the way he launched himself into the air.

College and Breaking Records

Franklin Jacobs barely finished high school. He did not get a special sports scholarship. But he went to Fairleigh Dickinson University with a federal grant.

A Rising Star in High Jump

In his first year of college, he jumped 2.16 meters (about 7 feet, 1 inch). In March 1977, he hurt his right leg playing basketball. He had a cartilage injury. But he kept competing for over a year without surgery.

Over the next two years, he became rivals with another high jumper, Dwight Stones. People in the media often talked about how different they were. Jacobs was shorter and from the city. Stones was tall and from California. Stones sometimes criticized Jacobs's unique jumping style.

Setting a World Record

Franklin Jacobs beat Dwight Stones at the 1978 Millrose Games. This event was held in Madison Square Garden in New York City. At this competition, Franklin set a new world indoor record! He jumped 2.32 meters (about 7 feet, 7 and a half inches).

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 jumper, Vladimir Yashchenko, broke Franklin's record. In July, Franklin competed against Yashchenko again. This was at a big international event between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Franklin lost to Yashchenko by a small difference.

In August 1978, Franklin Jacobs won an award for being an outstanding amateur athlete. By then, he had won 27 college competitions! He also won a British championship title in 1978.

The 1980 Olympics and Beyond

Franklin Jacobs hoped to earn a lot of money from sponsors after the 1980 Olympics. However, the United States decided not to go to the Games. This meant Franklin could not compete.

A Dream Shattered

He was very disappointed by the boycott. He almost skipped the U.S. "Olympic Trials." He went only because his college asked him to. But he failed to clear his opening height.

After this, he stopped high jumping. He did not go back to college. He had planned to return to competition in 1982, but it did not happen. In 1991, he said, "I was upset and my dreams were shattered." He felt he could have competed in the 1984 Olympics. But he was young and felt like his chance was gone.

Life After High Jump

After his high jump career, Franklin Jacobs 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 attended a special event at the Millrose Games. It was a tribute to past stars of the competition.

Championship Results

See also

• Men's high jump indoor world record progression