BO JACKSON

[Tigermike 4,309]

It's long so I am not going to post the entire piece. But it's a good read.

Bo Jackson: What Could Have Been?

I'm an Eagles' fan. I own 19 jerseys—all members of the Philadelphia Eagles. I would never wear a jersey of another team. But if I had to pick one jersey from another team to wear, it would be the jersey of one of the greatest running backs in National Football League history—No. 34 of the Oakland Raiders, Bo Jackson.

Vincent Edward Jackson was born in 1962 in Alabama. As a kid, he was said to be full of energy and was constantly getting in trouble. He was described as a “wild boar” and earned the nickname “Bo.”

Bo had a fairly difficult childhood. Growing up without a father was not easy for him. As he recalls, “We never had enough food. But at least I could beat on other kids and steal their lunch money and buy myself something to eat. But I couldn't steal a father. I couldn't steal a father's hug when I needed one. I couldn't steal a father's whipping when I needed one. Being the eighth out of ten kids, and being the one that stayed in trouble, I sort of became a momma's boy.”

Bo developed a stuttering problem as a child. He grew extremely self-conscious of his problem. His speech therapist helped him realize that saying his own name when speaking about himself reduced the amount of stuttering. To this day, he still talks about himself in third person—even titling his autobiography, “Bo Knows Bo.”

At McAdory High School in Alabama, Bo showed his unbelievable athletic ability in three sports—football, baseball, and track and field. In track, he won two state decathlon championships. In baseball, he slammed 20 home runs in 25 games as a senior. In football, he rushed for for 1173 yards on 108 carries (10.9 yards per carry) with 17 touchdowns.

The New York Yankees were mesmerized by Bo's baseball talent and drafted the 19-year-old in the second round of the 1982 MLB draft. But Bo turned down the Yankees' offer. He instead chose to accept a scholarship to play football for the Auburn Tigers.

Bo never regretted his decision to attend college and pursue an education instead of immediately entering into professional baseball. Bo says, “Your education can take you way farther than a football, baseball, track, or basketball will—that's just the bottom line. Don't sell yourself short because without college you can't go far in life because after sports the only thing you know is sports and you can't do anything else with that.”

Bo quickly became a dominant college running back. He rushed for over 4300 yards and scored 43 touchdowns in his career. He set an SEC record by averaging 6.6 yards per carry—including 7.8 yards per carry as a sophomore.

Here is the link for the entire article.

I can still see Bo over the top to beat Bama. I can still see Bo along the far side line to beat GA TECH in Atlanta.

War Eagle!

Auburn vs Alabama Bye Bye Bo Bo Jackson

Highlights

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

My childhood hero. My walls were plastered with Bo posters. The Ball Player. Black and Blue. Bo Knows, etc.

I also had a few Jordan posters, but Bo dominated my childhood sports obsessions.

[OldNewby 27]

The one, the only, Bo Jackson! We were fortunate to have him for four years. His children are fortunate to have him for a lifetime.

[BoJtrueAUman 4]

As you can tell by my screen name I am a little bit of a fan. I have a TON of Bo cards and about 3 autographs but have never gotten to meet him. I have a jersey that i refuse to stop wearing during the seasons until I get his autograph on it, I refuse to put it away until I get to meet him.

[AUBURNJAC 53]

I got to stand with Bo Jackson on the sidelines for much of the 2001 (I think it was 2001) Bama game. We walked around, and even though every single person down there wanted to talk to him, we still managed to chat a bit. I have NEVER been so elated and nervous in my LIFE! He is a super nice guy......... That's one of the best memories I have in my life, period! We lost the game like 31-7 I think, but that day completely erases a loss to the bamzies for me.

[autigeremt 7,551]

He's the reason I even knew who Auburn was in the 80's. I wore his number when I played little league football and baseball. He and Jack Lambert are my favorite all time football players.

[sandyclawedtiger 207]

Yes Bo was big, bad and fast, faster, fastest. His vision and seeing the holes and taking advantage of what was there was absolutely amazing. Something that I think has made him the best of all time. WDE!!

[Grumps 3,706]

Bo will always be the greatest. I met him and shook his hand and got his autograph at the Sugar Bowl when we tied Syracuse. (It rained like crazy that day and the autograph got destroyed depsite being inside my coat pocket). I have a Bo Jackson throwback jersey that I will keep forever.

Two of my fondest memories involving Bo are:

1. My Dad, an Auburn man through and through and also a Golden Eagle (one of his proudest achievements), would always say "Go Bo" when Bo got the toss sweep and had a little hole, and

2. I was at a an AU football game during Bo's tenure and while walking in the stadium to get to my section a bumper sticker that said "Go Bo Go" came floating from the tunnel leading out to the seats and landed on my chest. It seemed like divine intervention.

[Taylor An Auburn Fan 0]

I have read Bo Knows Bo twice and i have always wore #34 in football just because of Bo.

[tiger88 934]

I was a freshman when Bo was a senior. There hasn't been one like him before or since.

[BoJtrueAUman 4]

I got to stand with Bo Jackson on the sidelines for much of the 2001 (I think it was 2001) Bama game. We walked around, and even though every single person down there wanted to talk to him, we still managed to chat a bit. I have NEVER been so elated and nervous in my LIFE! He is a super nice guy......... That's one of the best memories I have in my life, period! We lost the game like 31-7 I think, but that day completely erases a loss to the bamzies for me.

I hate you so much right now

[Tigermike 4,309]

While Bo was at AU, his Mom and sisters sat on the row directly in front of us. It was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

During that time I had an autographed poster but gave it to the son of a woman I was dating at the time. Yes you can all call me a dumbass now.

[Taylor An Auburn Fan 0]

While Bo was at AU, his Mom and sisters sat on the row directly in front of us. It was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

During that time I had an autographed poster but gave it to the son of a woman I was dating at the time. Yes you can all call me a dumbass now.

Yeah it goes without saying it.

[Tigermike 4,309]

While Bo was at AU, his Mom and sisters sat on the row directly in front of us. It was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

During that time I had an autographed poster but gave it to the son of a woman I was dating at the time. Yes you can all call me a dumbass now.

Yeah it goes without saying it.

What that it was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

[Taylor An Auburn Fan 0]

While Bo was at AU, his Mom and sisters sat on the row directly in front of us. It was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

During that time I had an autographed poster but gave it to the son of a woman I was dating at the time. Yes you can all call me a dumbass now.

Yeah it goes without saying it.

What that it was neat getting to know them a little and talk to them on Saturday's.

Oh yeah that is exactly what i was getting at lol.

[rolltoomer 0]

Bo usually takes part in the Champions' (Senior Tour) Pro-Am round, held in Birmingham in May. Used to be the Bruno's Memorial, now sponsored by Region's.

Just hang around between some green and the next tee and he will shake your hand and maybe chat, if you have a good line to open with.