"Bo" Jackson, born Vincent Edward Jackson, is a former professional athlete from America. He is renowned for being the sole athlete to achieve All-Star status in two major North American sports: baseball and football. His exceptional skill in both sports has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
November 30, 1962: Bo Jackson is born
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson was born on November 30, 1962. He would later become known as one of the greatest athletes of all time, excelling in both baseball and football.
1971: Pat Sullivan Wins Heisman Trophy
Pat Sullivan, whose number 7 was also retired by Auburn, won the Heisman Trophy in 1971.
June 1982: Bo Jackson Drafted by the New York Yankees, Attends Auburn University
In June 1982, Bo Jackson was drafted by the New York Yankees, but he opted to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship, fulfilling a promise to his mother.
November 27, 1982: Bo Jackson Leads Auburn to Victory in the Iron Bowl
Bo Jackson led the Auburn Tigers to a dramatic 23-22 victory over their rivals, Alabama, in the Iron Bowl on November 27, 1982, scoring the winning touchdown with a leap over the defensive line.
1982: Bo Jackson Makes Impressive Tangerine Bowl Debut
Bo Jackson made a memorable Tangerine Bowl debut as a freshman at Auburn University in 1982, contributing to his team's 33-26 victory over Boston College with an impressive one-handed catch.
1982: Bo Jackson Sets State School Records in Track and Field
Bo Jackson showcased his athleticism beyond football and baseball by setting state school records for indoor high jump (6 ft 9 in) and triple jump (48 ft 8 in) in 1982.
1983: Bo Jackson's Standout Sophomore Season at Auburn
Bo Jackson had an outstanding sophomore season at Auburn in 1983, rushing for 1,213 yards and earning Sugar Bowl MVP honors after a victory against Michigan.
1984: Bo Jackson Named Liberty Bowl MVP Despite Injury-Shortened Season
Despite missing a significant portion of his junior year at Auburn due to injury, Bo Jackson returned to earn Liberty Bowl MVP honors in 1984 after defeating Arkansas.
April 1985: Scouting Report Highlights Bo Jackson's Potential
An April 1985 scouting report recognized Bo Jackson as a "do it all type of player" and "the best pure athlete in America today," predicting his potential for greatness.
1985: Bo Jackson's Record-Breaking Heisman Trophy Win
Bo Jackson rushed for 1,786 yards in 1985, the second-best single-season performance in SEC history, and won the Heisman Trophy in one of the closest votes ever.
1985: Bo Jackson Wins the Heisman Trophy
Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 while playing college football for the Auburn Tigers.
September 1986: Bo Jackson Makes MLB Debut with Kansas City
After a short stint in the minor leagues, Bo Jackson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Kansas City Royals in September 1986.
1986: Bo Jackson Receives the Golden Plate Award
Bo Jackson was honored with the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement in 1986.
1986: Drafted by Buccaneers and Royals: Jackson's Choice
Drafted first overall by the Buccaneers in 1986, Bo Jackson refused to sign, upset over a team visit during his college baseball season that jeopardized his NCAA eligibility. He believed the Buccaneers intentionally sabotaged his baseball career. He instead chose to play baseball, signing with the Kansas City Royals who drafted him in the fourth round.
1986: Bo Jackson's Athleticism Catches NFL's Attention
In 1986, Bo Jackson's speed was noticed by NFL scouts, with rumors of him running a 4.12 40-yard dash, which would have been the fastest time ever recorded at the NFL Combine. While Jackson refuted the 4.12 time, claiming he ran a 4.13 at an Auburn pro day, the event highlighted his incredible athletic potential.
1986: Bo Jackson's NCAA Eligibility Jeopardized
Before the 1986 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, eager to recruit Bo Jackson, took him on a visit that violated NCAA rules, ultimately jeopardizing his remaining college baseball eligibility. Jackson felt this was a deliberate attempt to steer him towards football.
1986: Drafted by the Buccaneers
Despite his preference for baseball, Bo Jackson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. He was offered a $7.6 million, five-year contract, which he declined.
November 30, 1987: Monday Night Football Record
On November 30, 1987, just 29 days after his first NFL carry, Bo Jackson set a Monday Night Football record with a 221-yard rushing performance.
1987: Drafted by the Raiders and Contract Negotiations
Bo Jackson was drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987. After initially declining, Jackson was offered a unique contract that would allow him to play both baseball for the Kansas City Royals and football for the Raiders. The five-year, $7.4 million contract allowed Jackson to complete the MLB season before joining the Raiders, even if it meant missing NFL games.
1987: Bo Jackson's Breakout Season with the Royals
In 1987, Bo Jackson showed his baseball prowess, hitting 22 home runs, 53 RBIs, and stealing 10 bases as a left fielder for the Kansas City Royals.
July 29, 1988: The One-Handed Home Run
On July 29, 1988, Bo Jackson hit a remarkable home run against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite trying to call a timeout and taking one hand off the bat, he still managed to send the ball over the left-field wall.
1988: Return to the Raiders
As part of his 1987 contract agreement, Bo Jackson received a $500,000 bonus for returning to play for the Raiders in 1988.
1989: Launch of the "Bo Knows" Nike Campaign
The "Bo Knows" advertising campaign by Nike, featuring Bo Jackson and musician Bo Diddley, was launched in 1989 to promote the cross-training shoe named after Jackson.
1989: High Strikeouts Mark Jackson's Performance
While known for his power, Bo Jackson also struck out frequently. In 1989, he tied for 10th most strikeouts in a single season for a right-handed batter since 1893, highlighting the trade-off between his power and contact hitting.
1989: Bo Jackson's Career Highlights
Bo Jackson finished his eight-year baseball career with a .250 batting average, 141 home runs, and 415 RBIs. His most successful season was 1989, where he was named an All-Star and ranked among the league leaders in home runs and RBIs.
1989: Appearance in Tecmo Bowl
Bo Jackson's legendary status in video game history began with his appearance in the 1989 Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl. His virtual character, known as "Tecmo Bo," was famous for being nearly unstoppable, solidifying his place in gaming history.
1989: Bo Jackson's All-Star Game Dominance
Bo Jackson's exceptional talent was on full display at the 1989 All-Star Game. He made a spectacular catch to save two runs, hit a 448-foot home run, stole second base, and drove in the winning run, earning him MVP honors.
1989: Breakthrough Season
Bo Jackson had his most successful NFL season in 1989, rushing for 950 yards and four touchdowns in eleven games, nine as a starter.
July 11, 1990: The Iconic "Wall Run"
Bo Jackson's athleticism was showcased in a game against the Orioles on July 11, 1990. Catching a ball at full speed, he famously ran along the outfield wall to avoid injury, a play that became known as the "wall run".
1990: Acting Debut
Bo Jackson ventured into acting in 1990 with a guest appearance on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." This marked the beginning of his foray into television and film.
1990: Bo Jackson Ties Home Run Record
In 1990, Bo Jackson tied a Major League record by hitting home runs in four consecutive at-bats. This achievement showcased his power and ability to perform under pressure.
1990: Pro Bowl Selection
In a shortened season, Bo Jackson rushed for 698 yards and was selected to his sole Pro Bowl in 1990.
1990: "Bo Knows" Campaign Continues
The highly successful "Bo Knows" Nike campaign, showcasing Bo Jackson's athletic versatility, continued into 1990.
January 13, 1991: Career-Ending Injury
Bo Jackson suffered a career-ending hip injury on January 13, 1991, during a playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury occurred at the end of a 34-yard run following a seemingly routine tackle.
January 1991: Hip Injury and Retirement from Football
In January 1991, Bo Jackson dislocated his hip while playing in a playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While he claimed to have popped his hip back into place on the field, exacerbating the injury, doctors did not confirm this. However, they found a fracture in his hip bone, cartilage loss, and bone tissue death. This injury forced his retirement from football, and he was released by the Kansas City Royals.
March 18, 1991: Royals Release Bo Jackson
Due to concerns about his football injury and unwillingness to pay his high salary while he recovered, the Kansas City Royals released Bo Jackson on March 18, 1991.
1991: Chicago White Sox Take a Chance on Jackson
Sixteen days after being released by the Royals, the Chicago White Sox signed Bo Jackson to a three-year contract. They understood his need to manage his hip issues and were willing to support his recovery.
1991: Hip Injury Ends Bo Jackson's Football Career
A significant hip injury forced Bo Jackson to retire from professional football in 1991.
October 31, 1992: Auburn Retires Bo Jackson's Number 34
Auburn University officially retired Bo Jackson's football jersey number 34 in a halftime ceremony on October 31, 1992.
1992: Hip Replacement Surgery Sidelines Jackson
Bo Jackson missed the entire 1992 MLB season due to undergoing hip replacement surgery, a testament to the severity of the injury he sustained playing football.
1992: Missed Baseball Season and Hip Replacement
Bo Jackson sat out the entire 1992 baseball season to undergo hip replacement surgery following his career-ending football injury the previous year.
1992: Musical Reference by A Tribe Called Quest
The American hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest referenced Bo Jackson in their song "Scenario" in 1992.
1993: Jackson Returns to Baseball After Hip Replacement
Following hip replacement surgery, Bo Jackson returned to Major League Baseball in 1993, demonstrating his resilience and determination to continue playing despite facing a career-threatening injury.
1993: A Home Run for Mom
In a touching tribute to his mother, Bo Jackson hit a home run in his first game back after hip replacement surgery in 1993, fulfilling a promise he made to her before she passed away.
1994: Bo Jackson Retires from Baseball
Bo Jackson's professional baseball career came to an end in 1994.
1994: Bo Jackson Retires from Baseball
After a shortened season due to the baseball strike, Bo Jackson retired from professional baseball at the age of 32. He prioritized family time over continuing his career.
1995: Television Appearances
In 1995, Bo Jackson showcased his acting skills with an appearance on the TV series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." He played basketball against Clark Kent/Superman, demonstrating his versatility on and off the field. He also appeared in an episode of "Diagnosis: Murder," playing a nanny.
1995: Musical Reference by Ini Kamoze
Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze referenced Bo Jackson in his hit single, "Here Comes the Hotstepper," in 1995.
1995: College Degree Completion
Keeping a promise he made to his mother, Bo Jackson completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development at Auburn University in 1995.
1996: Bo Jackson Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
Bo Jackson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996, recognizing his exceptional college football career.
1997: Musical Reference by Foxy Brown
Rapper Foxy Brown mentioned Bo Jackson in her song "Big Bad Mamma," released in 1997.
2004: Video Game Appearances
Bo Jackson appeared in the video game NFL Street 2 in 2004. This was one of his many appearances in video games, further solidifying his presence in the digital entertainment world.
2005: Ceremonial First Pitch at the World Series
Bo Jackson threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the 2005 World Series for the Chicago White Sox, who went on to win the game and sweep the Houston Astros for their first championship in 88 years.
2007: Nike Dunk Shoe Release
Nike paid tribute to Bo Jackson's legacy by releasing a set of Nike Dunk shoes in his honor in 2007. The collection included three colorways inspired by his iconic Trainer shoe line: the "Bo Knows" Trainer I, Trainer 91, and Medicine Ball Trainer III.
2007: Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex
Bo Jackson partnered with John Cangelosi in 2007 to establish the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Complex, an 88,000-square-foot multi-sport facility in Lockport, Illinois. He became a part-owner and CEO of the complex.
2007: Bo Jackson Ranked Among ESPN's Top 25 College Football Players
Bo Jackson was recognized for his exceptional college football career by being ranked #8 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list in 2007.
May 9, 2009: Bo Jackson Delivers Commencement Speech at Auburn University
On May 9, 2009, Bo Jackson delivered a powerful commencement speech at his alma mater, Auburn University. He emphasized the importance of embracing challenges and stepping outside one's comfort zone to achieve success.
2009: Burr Ridge Bank and Trust Board Member
Bo Jackson became a board member of Burr Ridge Bank and Trust in 2009, demonstrating his involvement in the business world.
July 12, 2010: Bo Jackson Participates in 2010 Home Run Derby Festivities
Bo Jackson showed his support for baseball on July 12, 2010, by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Home Run Derby held at Angel Stadium. He also joined in the fun by participating in the celebrity softball game.
December 2010: Bo Jackson Named NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Recipient
In December 2010, Bo Jackson received the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, recognizing his remarkable athletic achievements and contributions 25 years after his college graduation. The award was presented in 2011.
April 27, 2011: Bo Jackson Establishes "Bo Bikes Bama" Fundraiser
Motivated by the catastrophic tornadoes that ravaged Alabama on April 27, 2011, Bo Jackson established the "Bo Bikes Bama" fundraising initiative. This five-day bike tour, joined by fellow athletes and celebrities, aimed to support the affected communities and raise funds for the Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, ultimately exceeding $1.1 million in contributions.
2011: Bo Jackson Receives NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
In 2011, Bo Jackson was honored with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, celebrating his exceptional athletic career and accomplishments 25 years after graduating college.
April 2012: Bo Jackson Launches "Bo Bikes Bama"
In April 2012, Bo Jackson initiated the "Bo Bikes Bama" cycling event to raise funds for victims of the devastating tornado outbreak that struck Alabama in 2011. The inaugural event spanned five days and covered 300 miles, evolving into an annual single-day ride of approximately 62 miles.
2013: Bank Acquisition and Continued Board Membership
Despite Burr Ridge Bank and Trust's acquisition by First Community Financial Bank in 2013, Bo Jackson stayed on as a board member.
January 22, 2014: Bo Jackson Returns to Chicago White Sox as Ambassador
Bo Jackson rejoined the Chicago White Sox as an ambassador on January 22, 2014. He joined a distinguished group of former players who represent the team.
2016: Induction into the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals
Bo Jackson was recognized for his impact on baseball with his induction into the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2016.
2016: Kia Sorento Advertisement
In 2016, Bo Jackson appeared in a Kia Sorento commercial where he drove the car into a virtual football stadium, a nod to his video game persona. A second ad in the series featured Brian Bosworth and referenced Jackson's famous Monday Night Football touchdown run.
2017: Departure from Bank Board
Following First Community Financial Bank's acquisition by Busey Bank in 2017, Bo Jackson chose to step down from his position on the board.
2017: Bo Jackson Voices Concerns Over Football-Related Head Injuries
In a candid 2017 interview with USA Today, Bo Jackson revealed that he wouldn't have pursued football if he had been aware of the long-term health risks, particularly head injuries. He expressed deep concern over the sport's violence and the prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
November 2021: Hero Brand CBD Launch
In November 2021, Bo Jackson, through his company Promise Nutraceuticals, launched "Hero Brand CBD," a line of CBD products.
2021: Musical Tribute by Boldy James
Detroit rapper Boldy James paid homage to Bo Jackson by naming his 2021 album with The Alchemist after him and using his image for his album "Super Tecmo Bo."
2022: Bo Jackson Makes Generous Donation to Uvalde Victims' Families
In a heartwarming display of compassion in 2022, Bo Jackson donated $170,000 to cover funeral expenses for the families devastated by the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults lost their lives.
March 13, 2024: Bo Jackson Elected to Royals Hall of Fame
In recognition of his exceptional talent and impact on the team, Bo Jackson was elected to the Royals Hall of Fame on March 13, 2024.