Bo Jackson’s Career Had Some Wild Moments, Here Are the Best
Bo Jackson broke the rules of what we thought was humanly possible. He’s a freak of nature with world-class speed and power. While most athletes spend their careers mastering one sport, Bo Jackson mastered two without breaking a sweat. One day, he was outrunning entire NFL defenses. The next, he was launching baseballs into the upper deck.
Let’s dive into the moments that made Bo Jackson a true sports icon.
Heisman Moment That Started It All (1985)
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Before Bo Jackson became a two-sport marvel, he dominated college football. In 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 4,575 all-purpose yards and 45 total touchdowns, with 42 rushing and two receiving. This made him one of the most dynamic running backs in NCAA history.
First Overall NFL Draft Pick… and Instant Drama (1986)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers thought they won the lottery by selecting Bo as the No. 1 pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. But Jackson, angry over a pre-draft visit that allegedly cost him his final college baseball season, refused to sign. Instead, he chose baseball and made it clear that no team, no matter how powerful, could dictate his career.
Bo Knocks Baseball’s Door Down (1986)
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September 1986 marked Jackson’s Major League Baseball debut with the Kansas City Royals. His first career home run was a 475-foot blast—one of the longest in Royals history. Within a few seasons, he became one of baseball’s biggest attractions.
Playing in the NFL… Just for Fun? (1987)
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After joining the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987, Bo casually treated pro football like a side gig—yet still dominated. In just his second game, he rushed for 91 yards on his first five carries. Raiders owner Al Davis believed Jackson was the fastest player in the NFL, and Bo proved him right.
Monday Night Football Takeover (1987)
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Bo rewrote the highlight reel while playing football. In a 1987 Monday Night Football game, he torched the Seattle Seahawks for 221 rushing yards, including an impressive 91-yard touchdown run. He also ran over Seattle linebacker Brian Bosworth—a player who had talked trash about stopping Bo.
All-Star Game That Made Baseball Say “Bo Knows” (1989)
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The 1989 MLB All-Star Game showcased Bo’s baseball brilliance. He crushed a 448-foot leadoff home run, stole a base, and won MVP honors—all while casually chatting with President Ronald Reagan in the booth.
Nike Ad That Became a Cultural Phenomenon (1989)
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In 1989, Nike’s “Bo Knows” campaign turned Jackson into a pop culture legend. The commercial, featuring Bo trying his hand at basketball, tennis, and even ballet, became one of the most famous sports ads ever. Sales of Nike’s cross-training shoes skyrocketed and made Bo a brand.
Gravity-Defying Wall Run (1990)
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In a 1990 game against the Orioles, Bo made an impossible outfield catch and then ran up the wall like a superhero. The move was so smooth that some thought he planned it—but in reality, it was pure athletic instinct. It remains one of the most replayed defensive plays in MLB history.
Four Homers in Four At-Bats (1990)
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Jackson launched home runs in streaks. In 1990, he smashed four consecutive home runs over two games, which is an achievement only a handful of players in MLB history have managed. His explosive power made him one of baseball’s most feared sluggers.
NFL Pro Bowl? No Problem (1990)
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Bo was indeed an elite athlete. In 1990, he earned a Pro Bowl selection after rushing for 698 yards in just 10 games before a hip injury ended his season. He became the first—and still only—athlete to be named an All-Star in both the NFL and MLB.
The Injury That Changed Everything (1991)
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Bo’s sports career took a devastating hit—literally—during a 1991 NFL playoff game. While being tackled, he suffered a hip dislocation so severe that it caused avascular necrosis, which cut off blood supply to the bone. Doctors told him he’d never play again, but Bo wasn’t done just yet.
A Comeback for the Ages (1993)
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Most athletes would have retired after a hip replacement. Not Bo. In 1993, he returned to baseball with the Chicago White Sox and hit a home run in his first at-bat—dedicating it to his late mother. Despite playing with an artificial hip, he still managed to hit 16 home runs that season.
Royals Honor Their Two-Sport King (2024)
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Decades later, Bo’s impact on baseball remains undeniable. In 2024, the Kansas City Royals inducted him into their Hall of Fame and celebrated his unforgettable contributions to the game. His time in Kansas City may have been short, but it was nothing short of legendary.
Bo Gives Back—One Cup at a Time (2024)
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Even off the field, Bo finds ways to inspire. In 2024, he opened “Bo Jackson’s Beans,” a coffee shop launched in partnership with Graduate Hotels. This venture is just another way Bo stays connected to his roots.