Bo Jackson

Lore & Background

Jackson played college baseball as an outfielder and college football as a running back for the Auburn Tigers, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1985. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Raiders and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 2024.

Reader's Guide

In 1989 and 1990, Jackson's name became known beyond just sports through the "Bo Knows" advertising campaign, a series of advertisements by Nike, starring Jackson alongside musician Bo Diddley, promoting a cross-training athletic shoe named for Jackson. A 1991 hip injury ended his football career and caused him to miss the entire 1992 MLB season; he returned to win The Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1993, and retired after the strike-shortened 1994 season. Jackson expanded into other pursuits, including the completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development at Auburn. Jackson still holds the NFL record for most runs of 90+ yards from scrimmage with two. In addition, Jackson appeared in small roles as an actor in television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Married... with Children, as well as films such as The Chamber. He has been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated 13 times.

Did You Know?

• Jackson was the eighth of ten children, born and raised in Bessemer, Alabama.
• He did not meet his father until age 10.
• His family called him a 'wild boar hog,' later shortened to 'Bo'.
• At McAdory High School, he broke the national high school record for home runs with 20 in 25 games as a senior.
• He was a two-time state champion in the decathlon and never competed in the 1500 meters due to a commanding lead.