Written by: Ray Lamar Inspired by: Artist Bill Rembert
Some athletes are great at the sport they play, and people look at them for guidance or inspiration. But what do you call an athlete that is an elite athlete at every sport they play? How do you wrap your mind around a human being that can post competitive Olympic speeds in the 100 meter dash, rushed for single season records in a power 5 conference in football, and could run a baseball down from far distances and finish the catch off by running across the wall on foot like something out of a super hero movie. This type of athleticism is unreal, it is unmatched, and quite frankly players like Bo Jackson don’t show up on the draft docket every year.
In 1982, Jackson was drafted in the second round to play for the Yankees. But Bo Decided to attend Auburn on a football scholarship. This decision was deeply rooted in a promise he made to his mother to be the first in the family to go to a major college. During his tenure at Auburn he did not disappoint, succeeding as an athlete in both baseball and football. As an Auburn Tiger Bo rushed for4,303 yards, fourth overall career total in Southeastern Conference history. His career yards per carry average was 6.6 yards per carry which was the SEC record. Bo would also participate in College baseball. At that time coaches were quoted as saying that Bo could pretty much do everything on the field as an athlete. As a collegiate track and field athlete Bo jumped 24 feet 9 inches in the long jump, he posted 10.3 second 100 meter dash times, 48 feet triple jumper, threw 50 feet in the shot put, 149 feet in the discus, 6 feet 9 inches in the high jump, ran two different hurdle races, and scored 8,340 point in the decathlon.
Bo Jackson would also succeed as a professional baseball and football player. As a professional baseball player Bo would be selected to the all-star game in 1989. He was also voted as the all-star game MVP for his performance on offense and defense. Jackson’s other achievements as a major league baseball player include: 1993 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award, 10th in the 1989 AL MVP race, 30-Home Run seasons in 1989, he had 4 20-home run seasons from 1987–1990, 20-Stolen Base Seasons from 1988–1989, and 1 100 RBI season in (1989). As a professional football player rushed for 2,782 yards and had 352 yards receiving in his career. Bo Jacksons career as an athlete is a hard act to follow for all. His performances in multiple sports competing at the highest level puts him in a category that few outside of Deion Sanders can say they have reached. As an athlete Bo Jackson is unprecedented.
Editor’s Note: This article first published on March 3, 2020.