Bo Jackson was one of the most uniquely gifted athletes of all time, with incredible talents in both football and baseball. His explosive athleticism and dominance in two pro sports have made him a legend whose cards remain highly coveted by collectors.
Born in 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama, Bo showed early signs of his extraordinary physical abilities. He was a standout multi-sport athlete at McAdory High School, earning All-State honors in both football and baseball. Scouts were impressed by his raw speed and power. After graduating in 1980, Jackson accepted a football scholarship to Auburn University, where he would take the college football world by storm.
As a running back for Auburn from 1982-1985, Bo Jackson established himself as one of the most electrifying players in the nation. He was named an All-American in 1983, 1984, and 1985. In 1983, he helped lead Auburn to an SEC championship. In 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football. Jackson set numerous Auburn records that still stand today, including single-season rushing yards with 1,786 in 1982. His incredible combination of size, speed, and strength was unlike anything seen before at the college level.
Jackson’s dominance and highlight-reel plays at Auburn made him a hot commodity for NFL and baseball scouts alike coming out of college. In the 1986 MLB draft, he was selected by the New York Yankees in the 4th round. Meanwhile, in the 1987 NFL draft, he was the first pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This presented Jackson with a unique decision – pursue a career in professional baseball or football. He chose to sign first with the Kansas City Royals in baseball before playing a season of football with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987.
Jackson made his MLB debut with the Royals in 1986 and immediately showed he could hang with the big leaguers. In his rookie season, he batted .276 with 5 home runs and 11 stolen bases in just 69 games. His blazing speed and athleticism were perfect for the baseball field. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 1989. That season, he hit 32 home runs and led the AL with 119 runs scored while batting .256. His combination of power and speed was nearly unmatched in the league at the time.
While excelling in baseball, Jackson also pursued his NFL career part-time with the Los Angeles Raiders starting in 1987. In his rookie season, he rushed for 697 yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He added 222 receiving yards and helped lead the Raiders to an AFC Championship. His unique blend of size, speed, and power made him a nightmare for opposing defenses to tackle. In a Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Jackson recorded a legendary 220-yard rushing performance including a 91-yard touchdown run, one of the longest plays in NFL history.
Tragically, Jackson’s promising football career was cut short after just one full season due to a devastating hip injury suffered in a playoff game against the Bengals. At just 26 years old, he was forced into early retirement from the NFL after doctors told him playing further could risk permanent damage. He continued to play baseball through 1990 as his hip healed and rehabbed, but was never quite the same dominant player after the football injury. He retired from MLB after the 1994 season at age 32.
Despite his brief football career, Jackson made an indelible mark on the game and remains one of the most iconic players from the late 1980s. His highlight runs and game-breaking speed created some of the most memorable moments in NFL history during just one season with the Raiders. On the baseball side, he proved that with his combination of power and speed, he could have been a true star slugger in MLB if not for the football injury.
To this day, Bo Jackson cards remain some of the most coveted and valuable in the hobby for both football and baseball. His 1986 Topps rookie baseball card is one of the most iconic rookie cards ever issued. High grade copies in mint condition have sold for over $100,000. His 1987 Topps football rookie card is also hugely desirable among collectors. Other notable Jackson baseball cards include his 1989 Upper Deck, which captured him in his prime Royals years, and various rookie stars and oddball issues.
For football cards, Jackson rookies and inserts from 1987 Fleer, Score, and Pro Set are must-have pieces for collectors. Later career highlights include 1990 Leaf football cards showing him with the Raiders. Game worn memorabilia cards have also gained value in recent years. Jackson autographed memorabilia consistently fetches top dollar at auction due to his legend status in two sports.
While his career was cut short, Bo Jackson achieved enough in football and baseball to cement his status as one of history’s greatest pure athletes. At his athletic peak in the late 1980s, there may have been no one else with his combination of size, speed, and power across multiple sports. His highlight reel plays still wow modern fans. As one of the first true dual-sport stars, Bo opened the door for others like Deion Sanders to follow in his footsteps. His cards will always be treasures in the collections of those who appreciate some of the rarest physical talents ever seen on an athletic field.
