Bo Jackson

American college football running back who won the 1985 Heisman Trophy at Auburn and became a legendary two-sport professional athlete

Born Vincent Edward Jackson in Bessemer, Alabama in 1962, Bo Jackson overcame a challenging childhood marked by poverty and behavioral issues to become one of the most extraordinary athletes in American sports history. He discovered his athletic talents in high school, excelling in baseball, football, and track, which earned him scholarship offers from numerous universities before choosing Auburn University in 1982. Jackson's Auburn career established him as college football's most physically dominant running back of the 1980s. Despite playing only three full seasons due to a baseball commitment, he rushed for 4,303 yards and 43 touchdowns. His 1985 senior campaign was legendary, producing 1,786 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while leading Auburn to a 9-3 record. His performances against Alabama, including a memorable 142-yard effort in the 1982 Iron Bowl, became Auburn folklore. The season culminated with the Heisman Trophy, making him the first Auburn player to win the award. Jackson's defining achievement was his unprecedented success as a professional two-sport athlete. After rejecting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first overall NFL draft selection in 1986, he signed with the Kansas City Royals and later joined the Los Angeles Raiders as a part-time football player. His combination of 6-foot-1, 230-pound frame with world-class sprinting speed produced iconic moments in both sports, including his 1989 MLB All-Star Game MVP award and multiple NFL touchdown runs exceeding 90 yards. His college records include being named consensus All-American in 1985 and finishing his Auburn career with a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. Jackson's legacy extends beyond statistics to cultural impact. The Nike "Bo Knows" advertising campaign transformed him into a mainstream icon, while his athletic feats redefined perceptions of human physical capability. His influence on Auburn football remains profound, as his Heisman Trophy marked the program's arrival among college football's elite. Though a 1991 hip injury ended his dual-sport career prematurely, Jackson's college achievements represent the peak of raw athletic dominance in football history.

Explosive power runner with rare combination of size, speed and strength

Greatest college football player of his era and one of the most gifted athletes in history

• Heisman Trophy (1985)
• SEC title
• Consensus All-American
• Two-sport professional athlete