Classic Photos of Bo Jackson

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 29, 2012

Classic Photos of Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson celebrates his 50th birthday on Friday. The Auburn grad, who played professional football and baseball, is widely considered the greatest pure athlete of all time. As Bo celebrates the big 5-0, SI presents 50 photos of Jackson in action. Jackson waits for a pitch while playing as an outfielder for Auburn University. Jackson played baseball for the Tigers from 1983-86.

Bo Jackson

Jackson dives over a pile at Alabama's Legion Field.

Bo Jackson

Jackson shows off his physique during a 1985 photo shoot.

Bo Jackson

Jackson played football and baseball for four years at Auburn.

Bo Jackson

Jackson poses with the Heisman Trophy after winning it in 1985. Jackson edged out Iowa quarterback Chuck Long in what at the time was the closest vote in Heisman history.

Bo Jackson and Steve Morrow

Class AA Memphis Chicks athletic trainer Steve Morrow tends to a blister on Jackson's finger.

Bo Jackson

Jackson competes in the 1986 Japan Bowl. Jackson and the East defeated the West 31-14.

Bo Jackson

This 1986 issue marked the second time Jackson had made the SI cover. Jackson would appear on the cover two more times in his playing days.

Bo Jackson and Fan

Weeks after winning the Heisman Trophy, Jackson went to Yokohama, Japan to compete in the Japan Bowl all-star football game. Jackson's team the East defeated the West and Jackson was named the MVP.

Pete Rozelle and Bo Jackson

After failing to signing with the Bucs the previous year, Jackson was back in the NFL Draft in 1987. Here, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle hands Jackson a football after the running back was selected in the 7th round by the L.A. Raiders.

Raiders and Broncos

Jackson runs during his 1987 debut season with the Raiders. That year Jackson played in seven games, totaling 554 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Bo Jackson and Linda Garrett

Jackson leaves a press conference with his fiancee Linda Garrett after announcing he would play part-time with the L.A. Raiders.

Bo Jackson

Jackson sits on the bench next to teammate Marcus Allen during Jackson's rookie season of 1987.

Bo Jackson

In between seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Jackson joined the L.A. Raiders for his first NFL season in 1987. Jackson would play in the NFL from 1987-90.

Bo Jackson

Jackson robs Yankees batter Jack Clark of a home run during a 1988 game.

Bo Jackson

Jackson was named the MVP of the 1989 All-Star Game after going two-for-four with a home run. It was Jackson's first and only All-Star Game appearance.

Jeffrey Leonard, Kirby Puckett, Bo Jackson and Julio Franco

Jackson sits between American Leaguers Jeffrey Leonard, Kirby Puckett and Julio Franco during the 1989 All-Star Game at Anaheim Stadium.

Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson

Jackson and Deion Sanders talk to the media before a game.

Michael Jackson and Bo Jackson

Jackson stopped by Michael Jackson's Los Angeles recording studio for a visit and gave the King of Pop an autographed football and baseball.

Bo Jackson

Jackson runs past a Patriots defender during a 1989 game. That year Jackson ran for a career-best 950 yards.

Bo Jackson, Ronald Reagan and Robert Brown

Jackson shakes hands with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan after Jackson won the 1989 All-Star Game MVP award.

Kansas City Royals

Jackson hugs Kansas City teammate Tom Gordon after a win over the Mariners. 1989 would be Jackson's best year in baseball, as he hit a career-high 32 home runs.

Bo Jackson

Upset after striking out, Jackson breaks his bat over his knee. Overall, though, 1990 was a good year for Jackson, who hit 28 home runs and 78 RBIs in just 111 games.

Bo Jackson and Will Smith

Jackson makes a guest appearance on the NBC TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Bo Jackson

Jackson attends the opening of Look Who's Talking Too.

Bo Jackson

Jackson poses for an Auburn student. Jackson was there to announce that we would be returning to the university to finish his degree.

Bo Jackson

Jackson's various talents are on display in this famous Nike print ad.

Bo Jackson and Sons

Jackson sits on the bench after injuring his hip during a 1990 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Bengals. The injury nearly ended Jackson's NFL career and made him get a hip replacement.

Bo Jackson

During a promotional stop at a sporting goods store in Nov. 1991, Jackson announced that he would be retiring from football after suffering a hip injury.

Bo Jackson

Jackson a tackle during a playoff game against the Bengals. It would be Jackson's final NFL game, as he suffered a career-ending hip injury that day.

Bo Jackson and O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson interviews Jackson after the Raiders defeated the Bengals in an AFC Divisional playoff game. It would be Jackson's final NFL game, as he suffered a career-ending hip injury that day.

Bo Jackson

Jackson shows off his dance moves during the taping of a Nike commercial.

Bo Jackson

Jackson takes batting practice during spring training. Jackson ended up missing the entire 1992 season because of a hip injury.

Bo Jackson

Jackson appears in this classic poster.

Bo Jackson

Jackson runs wind sprints to help him recover from an operation that left him with an artificial hip. Jackson would miss the entire 1992 season because of the injury.

Bo Jackson

Jackson stars on the cover of a 1992 issue of Sports Illustrated For Kids .

Bo Jackson and Warren Newson

Jackson has some fun with teammate Warren Newton before Game 5 of the 1993 ALCS. The Blue Jays won the series in six games, with Jackson going 0-for-10 over three games.

Bo Jackson

With a new hip, Jackson prepares to make his return to baseball in 1993.

Bo Jackson

Jackson runs during spring training with the Angels. In what would be his final MLB season, Jackson had a career-high .279 average in the 1994 season.

Bo Jackson

Jackson rides a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Bo Jackson

Jackson holds an arrow during a 1995 SI photo shoot.

Bo Jackson

Jackson participates in `Go For It!' a program that encourages children to eat healthy and stay active.

Bo Jackson and Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson shares a laugh with Jackson before the Legends & Celebrity softball game.

Bo Jackson

Since retiring Jackson has indulged in the art of cooking.

Bo Jackson

After playing football and baseball professionally, Jackson has also taken to playing some golf. Here he is pictured participating in the 2003 Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am in Cromwell, Conn.

Bo Jackson

We knew he could play baseball, football and golf, but how about spearing a fish with a cross-bow? Yes, Bo Jackson can do that too.

Bo Jackson and Carlton Fisk

Jackson and Carlton Fisk rides around U.S. Cellular Field in style before a 2008 game against the Indians.

Bo Jackson and Marisa Miller

Jackson tags model Marisa Miller during the 2010 All-Star-Legends and Celebrity Softball Game at Angel Stadium.

Bo Jackson and Cam Newton

Auburn quarterback gets some advice from alumnus Jackson during the 2011 BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona. That night Auburn won its second national title in school history.

Bo Jackson, Lance Armstrong, Picabo Street and Ken Griffey, Jr.

Jackson, Lance Armstrong, Picabo Street and Ken Griffey Jr. pose after participating in the Bo Bikes Bama charity bike ride. The event raised money for the victims of deadly Alabama tornadoes in 2011.