Morris Kirksey

Morris Marshall Kirksey (September 13, 1895 - November 25, 1981) was an American athlete and rugby player, winner of two gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Morris Kirksey is one of four athletes to win gold medals in two Olympic sports.

At the Antwerpen Olympics, at first Kirksey finished second in 100 m behind Charlie Paddock and six days later he anchored the 4x100 relay team to gold medal with a world record time of 42.2. Two weeks later, Kirksey won his second gold medal, helping the American rugby team to beat France 8-0.

As an Stanford University student, Kirsey won the IC4A championships in 100 yd in 1921 and repeated the Paddock's world record in 100 yd of 9.6.

Kirksey earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Stanford and then a degree from St. Louis Medical College. He worked as a staff psychiatrist for the state Department of Corrections, assigned to San Quentin and Folsom prisons.

Morris Kirksey died in San Mateo, California, aged 86.