I recently did an event with Bo Jackson, which brought back fond memories of watching this great athlete compete. Bo was the classic two-sport star, a near impossible feat given the fact that just a handful of professional athletes have accomplished it successfully. Nike immortalized Bo with its “Bo Knows” campaign in 1989, which showed him excelling in a variety of sports, including tennis, golf, luge, auto racing and even playing blues music with Bo Diddley.
Bo’s legend started in college. In 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy while at Auburn and is considered one of the greatest players ever to play college football. In 2007, he ranked #8 on ESPN’s list of the Top 25 Players In College Football History. During his career at Auburn, he rushed for 4,303 yards, which puts him fourth all-time in rushing yards in the SEC behind Herschel Walker. Bo went on to play football for the Oakland Raiders and baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He was the first player selected to All-Star teams in two sports.
I grew up in Memphis and recall going to see Bo play for the Memphis Chicks, the Royals AA affiliate. He was a man among boys and made the game look easy. I wasn’t at the game, but as legend has it, Bo hit a towering home run over the left field fence that not only cleared the ballpark but also the executive offices and a grove of trees. Some estimates put the distance at 600 feet!
Another play I’ll never forget was a Monday Night Football game in 1987 when he ran over Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth on his way to a MNF-record 221 rushing performance.
And still another famous “Bo Moment” happened in 1990 against the Baltimore Orioles when he performed his famous “wall run”, which occurred when he caught a ball just a couple of yards away from the wall. As he caught the ball at full speed, Bo looked up and noticed the wall and began to run up the wall, one leg reaching higher as he ascended. He ran along the wall almost parallel to the ground and ultimately came down with the ball.
Unfortunately, Bo suffered a hip injury during a NFL playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991. The injury ended his football career and seriously threatened his baseball career. Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, it was discovered that he had avascular necrosis. This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring that the hip be replaced. Bo played another couple of baseball seasons but lost much of the speed that made his so good.
Today, Bo lives in the Chicago area and is a busy motivational sports speaker and successful businessmen. He’s part-owner of a bank and sports facility.
If you would like to find out how to hire Bo Jackson for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Bo Jackson booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity and sports booking agent for athletes, sports stars, celebrities and corporate entertainment.
