Jim thorpe also played sports before they were integrated.
I always think it's interesting there evidently wasn't a big opposition to a 1/2 Native American playing sports before black players were integrated. Native Americans weren't even full citizens when he won his Olympic medals if I'm not mistaken.
The era is just too long ago to compare Thorpe to others, we're talking over 100 years ago in a lot of his achievements, pro football and basketball were nothing like they are now. American sports was basically baseball and the early beginnings of college sports.
I don't think he's the greatest but Charlie Ward is an overlooked suggestion, Heisman trophy winner then a long NBA career.