I'm 53 and have never seen anyone close...the greatest athlete to ever walk the planet! Period....I witnessed him run a ball down at Memorial Stadium and to slow himself down he ran up the wall and then ran a few steps horizontally on the wall as we were sitting in the left field seats and i told my college baseball teammate that night that we are watching the greatest athlete to ever step foot on this planet and 30 + years later still nobody like him
We all love Bo Jackson. Kids coming up should realize how important his story really is; not just from a sports perspective but a life perspective even more.
I've been smiling SINCE this came on JUST being so PROUD OF my Brotha ✊🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 👊🏿 #GoneBoUBadBoi 🤗🙆🏽❤ Let me tell yall something those tht dnt KNO BUT U bet NOT PLAY WIT a Mother Cause a #BlkWwillKnockYoAssOut 😄😢 But U Respected her cause ud be 2 scared 2 Even THINK about doing anything cause she COULD smell trouble On ya MIND wit One LOOK in yo 👀 💩 might beat yo Ass BEFORE u act a Fool 😄
I still vividly remember the "Over The Top" Auburn Alabama game in '82 as a fifth grader! Watched it from beginning to end and that was the game that exposed Bo to a national audience! His importance couldn't be understated! Not only was he a beast, but it wasn't a coincidence he was on the first Auburn team to beat 'Bama in a decade! There will never again be a two way athlete remotely on his level
I am also 55 and let me say Vincent " Bo " Jackson is the baddest ATHLETE EVER !! 6'1 / 235 Lbs. running a 4.1 /40 LEGIT !! ....Baseball was his #1 I always thought !! That ARM TOO !! SPEED KILLS !! POWERFUL too !! JUST WOW ! Thanks 4 those memories baby !!
He did not run a legit 4.1 40 that’s bull shit that speed and size would literally take off someone’s head and he was timed by humans instead of computers If you where to say he ran a 4.20 I would believe it but a 4.1 is bullshit
I didn’t play sports in school but I understand and respect his abilities. But the thing about Bo that impressed me the most is the man in life that he is. He took care of his mom.
Greatest athlete in the history of sports is a massive statement. Great but I'm measuring his athletic skill by football because no matter what he did in baseball football is a much more physical game. The man was a powerhouse and just too fast to ever be caught from behind.
For a man that also grew up without a father" my Mother was my biggest hero" hero and supporters. The only time she ever missed one of my football games is when I played in middle school" because she was at one of her three jobs, but in high school she never missed a game" and from the beginning of playing in rec ball I wore #34 , because of both Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker, the two best running backs in college football" I had the privilege of meeting both of them at the same time" and it was a life changing experience!
The only 2 athletes that I could see giving Bo Jackson a run for his money for the top spot are : 1. Muhammad Ali the boxer 2. Wilt Chamberlain -- ran Olympic level track and especially high jump. Held himself back in Basketball so as to not injure his opponents and still averaged 10 blocks a game. Had to be stopped from dunking from the 3 point line and dunking his free throws. Beat the NFL's fastest Running back in a foot race. Jumped 42" and bench pressed 500lbs once.
We are Auburn Football ticket holders and have been for years. We had tickets when he arrived. I have seen hundreds of Auburn games. There is NO WAY to explain how great he was unless you saw him in person. His speed was unbelievable. Once he turned that shoulder down and got turned north and south he was g o n e...GONE. He ran so much faster than defensive backs it had to be seen to be believed. TV did not do it justice. There will never be another like him.
Yes, Jordan-Hare was a particularly magical and exciting place then.......As is said of Sanford Stadium from Bulldog fans.......Bo and Herschel could both make you question if what you just saw was real, just more so with Bo.
I've been a Bama fan my entire life. Bo played at Auburn when I was in grade school. I hated Bo when he was at The Barn. (I hope Bear Bryant beat that assistant stupid for running him over there....well, he was already stupid, I hope he beat him smart LOL!) Once he left and came to the Memphis Chicks, I watched him play while he was there. Even have a couple of signed baseballs from that time. He's been my favorite ever since. He's the greatest athlete to ever walk on any field and it isn't even debatable.
Watch Bo as a Raiders Fan, or just a sports fan brought ME just pure joy... GREATEST WHAT IF IN SPORTS HISTORY.... GREATEST PURE ATHLETE EVER... THANK FOR THE MEMORIES BO... Howie Long said it best... Watch Bo was like watching a shooting star... shining so bright, then it's gone too soon...
Freedom Lover I agree He was and still is a great Man. He and the whole Kansas City Royals 1987 team were great with my children but Bo was special because he was an Auburn man and we both grew up in the same side of town. My daughter had a house fire. Many thanks to the firemen who saved her glove with all The all the signatures of the World Campions Kansas City Royals 1986
Bo Jackson and Herschel Walker both had rough childhoods but they overcame, with such raw natural power they became great athletes. God gave them such talent and they are humble men.
My mom passed in May. After watching the last portion of this presentation I’m completely broken regarding the final moments with his mother and the promise he made. It’s profound.
What a human being. This is the type of human we should ALL look up to, not solely for his athletic prowess but because of his words and deeds as a person and always being true to what his mother taught him, and using his intelligence to be humble and putting in the work necessary without complaint. That is the lesson for success.
Bar none. Absolutely the BEST athlete of all time and there’s not even a close second. I still get goosebumps remembering what that man did almost 30 years ago. Freak athlete with the kindest soul. Thanks for the memories Bo
Jackie Robinson was the best athlete of all time. Man played college football, and basketball at UCLA and it “wasn’t even his best sport” according to him
Hey Wilbon, people liked Bo because he was a great guy who was humble about his abilities. Marketing didn't make him palatable to middle class white america because we liked him prior to nike!
@Bill Ward Wow! I bet that was truly an amazing moment for you both! Glad you both were able to have that experience I'd would've enjoyed it also. Thank You for sharing. #FOREVERBOJACKSONFAN
I went to a Patriots -raiders game in 87 at the old stadium in foxboro.every time Bo stood up to put his helmet on the crowd got to it's feet & roared.we knew we were watching a once in a lifetime talent.
I enjoyed every game he played in, loved his book, like Barry Sanders he was a great player that didn't show off, he did his job and looked good doing it, didn't have to dance in the end zone, etc. Was a wonder to watch playing baseball too! One of the things I admire most about him is that he never took the doctors two heart, he was told at least once that he would not be able to play baseball at least once in college, per his book, and was also told after his football injury that he would not be able to walk let alone play sports. Obviously he played years after the injury for a few different baseball teams and prove them wrong. Not only one of the best athletes but also one of the best examples of how to conduct yourself both on the field and off the field.
What an amazing soul..athlete, someone every little leaguer and football player should look up to! What a great guy and a real sports role model. I’m so glad I was able to witness Bo Jackson play both baseball and football. Once in a lifetime kind of abilities.
Greatest athlete Ive ever seen..... Its a shame he got injured so early in his career..... Would have loved to have seen him play for a full career in either sport (approx 15 years).
I sat in Jordan-Hare as up and coming freshman in H. S. and was hoping for a college career. After watching this unexplainable power, speed & determination I questioned my hope. After four years I am glad I didn't go to college . Meeting him head up would have been a trainwreck. I knew I didn't have that talent soI quit. He is my hero but also my athletic regret. I gave up on myself and looking back I believe I was talented and strong enough to have shut Bo down. I played varsity as a freshman with 5 who went to the NFL and a total of 27 full ride scholarships. Bo you are the man . Buck masters , hole in one, bat breaking , ball crushing , runner gunning , break away speed having, over the top leaping , game changing hero I wish I had been more like. In the words of the late Jim Fife " bye bye Bo
Bo Jackson was that dude when it came to sports, his versatility was amazing! He went to Auburn University and you have to have the athletic prowess and smarts to go there and he had it.
Bo was the best all around athlete I ever saw. Such raw athletic ability. Had he concentrated full-time on either baseball or football, there's no telling what could have been. They said in the video it's sad kids today don't know who Bo Jackson was. Well this video was made by ESPN and aired prob 15-20 years ago. Kids today definitely don't have a clue because it's been so long ago now. But for those of us who were alive then and saw him play, we'll never forget that BO KNOWS !!!
Those of us that knew baseball, knew Bo was going to be one of the best baseball , yes baseball outfielders of all time. For sure HOF. You gotta understand the amazing progress he made. So sad to see him stopped by injury.
Bo was a phenomenal athlete but he was not a well disciplined hitter. He struck out way to often and didn’t draw nearly enough walks. He was a free swinger and the pitchers knew it and took advantage of it. If he had learned to be more disciplined at the plate, there’s no telling how great a player he could have become.
I was in H.S. and played sports during the prime of Bo, everyone wanted to be Bo. I'm so lucky to have lived through the Bo era. There will never be another athlete of his caliber in my life time. Bo was the GOAT.
30 years later now and no pro athlete in any sport has even come close to the pure athletic marvel of this man, with Dieon being the only possible exception.
Being 42 I got to tell you some of the best athletes came from the 80s and 90s. It is really a bummer that Bo Jackson got injured so young. He was a great player and I love the fact that he loved his mom because you got to love your mother if she was a good person. I wish these younger kids now knew how awesome Bo Jackson was.
Kids today don't know who Bo Jackson was? And this was decades ago?. You high man? Kids today still know the name. They may not know the full story, but his name still lives on. You may not know a single thing about his career, but you still know, Bo Jackson is a legend.
I am 65 years old. Watched Bo in action. I have always wondered how Bo was blessed with the incredible God given talents to excell at any sport. Even his siblings, who were great athletes, did not attain the skills he had. What made Bo be able to pick up anything physical and excell immediately?
The only one that has this trait, is Bo Jackson. The only one that knows, is Bo. I don't think any single individual can relate to what it was like to have the athleticism of Bo Jackson......He was that special.
Steve Largent said it best. He was on the sidelines when Bo made that famous 90 yard touchdown run. When you Bo went by him on the sidelines, he could hear a gosh of air that went WOOSH!!!
All of us in Kansas City were worried he would get hurt playing football and ruin his baseball career. But, he was so good at football. We sure didn't like it that he went with the Raiders, either. And the way he could break a bad in two...he was pure muscles. That ball he threw from the wall to home plate...I saw that game. Something told me he could put some heat behind it, and he did. That throw was perfection. If I remember correctly, it bounced once and landed right where the catcher needed it to be. He caught it and tagged the runner out. And I don't think the placement of the ball could have been any better, either. Some people just have it and Bo was one of those people.
I remember watching Bo , it was amazing even on tv , the explosive speed and power of watching him come out of the backfield! Was just amazing to watch ! I wish I could have been able to see him in person ! For a few short years he was one of the most exiting players of all time ! And Bo never lifted weights! , ?
What a pure heart he had. The man is in college getting attention and all he wanted to do was to call his high school coach. There is something so human and endearing about that.
I had the pleasure to see him play at Auburn. He is the greatest all around athlete I've ever seen. His Nike commercials were actually true. Bo Knows were great commercials and truthful. He had amazing talent, strength ,and speed. I always enjoyed watching him because he was reserved or came across as humble.
Still to this day I have never seen someone get up off there back with pads on without using there hands! To be that strong, that fast, that flexible he is the best athlete ever seen! He's a winner!
I’m glad I got to see this superhero live back in the day. I was a teenager when he was around, he was my idol!! Bo knew how to give young people hope.
His first dinger in the bigs, the fence was 385, that ball landed at least 100-125 feet past that at 30 feet in the air....it was still going further. A 500 foot blast!!
I hate to say ANYTHING negative about the great Bo Jackson.....I was amazed at his football abilities and his arm in baseball was unmatched. However, I don't think, even with all his power, that he ever hit a home run farther than another amazing, pure athlete.....#7 the great Mickey Mantle. His 565 ft. homer (projected to be a 600 footer if it had cleared the Yankee Stadium roof, so close)in the Guinness book of World Records surpassed Bo. The great Hank Arron said his home run power was all about his wrists and bat speed. Technique is the heart of hitting a pitched ball in the show....not just muscle.
@@albundy6008 I certainly agree. Mickey, however, was also known for speed like a deer. 3.1 seconds to reach first base. Since the 40 wasn't timed as a standard measure of speed, all you have to do is run the math. This meant covering 10 yards a second. That translates into 4.1 speed in the 40. This was of course before Joe DiMaggio called him off a fly ball and Mick stepped into an outfield drain a destroyed his knee in an era where medicine and rehab were very primitive. Plus, he was dangerous from either side of the plate. The greatest switch hitter of all time. We could say "what if" about Mantle in the same way we say it about Bo. Greatest pure athlete of all time? Yes, hands down. Mickey was, in my humble opinion, a far better baseball player than Bo.
I've never seen a more talented athlete in my life, I feel privileged to have watched him in his prime. Anytime he was on the field, any field, all eyes were on him. Amazing guy.
@@jcdova29 not like that. I saw it a bit later with some of the steroid guys. I tried it and gave myself a contusion and I was benching 315 lbs back then and squatting 450.
The best 2 sports player ever. He was good in baseball but he was great at football. It's so sad that he got hurt and it ruined his career. He was on his way to becoming the best running back of all time.
I agree with you. Yet, if we are talking about Greatest Athletes of All Time... As Much As I Love Prime Time... I would put Bo Jackson over Deon Sanders. IMO...Greatest Athletes Of All Time "IN NO ORDER"; 1. Jack Johnson, Bo Jackson, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Wilt Chamberlain & Arthur Ashe... Again "In My Opinion"
Words cannot do justice describing this dudes ability. Elite level at any sport. His HR that he hit on his return. For his mom. Had ability and had a natural flair for the dramatic. If he focused on track I truly believe he would have had records still standing. Deion Sanders. Randy Moss (young). Darrell Green CB Redskins. Maybe Willie Gault. Very few came close to his top speed. Bob Hayes. Nehemiah perhaps. Chris Johnson. Tyreek Hill on a good day. Difference was he was built like a wrestler. TECMO BOWL
He was probably the greatest 'might have been' ever. A pity; think about it. Had he eschewed football, his no. 1 sport, and instead played baseball, he might be in a different Hall of Fame. Remember that commercial 'Bo Knows'. I sincerely thought he could, eventually, play hockey too, in spite of Gretzky's doubt (in the ad at least.)
All Bo cared about was making his Mom proud. He felt like he disappointed her a lot growing up, you can tell that effected him and was a driving force for his greatness.
When Bo was on a tv show several years ago with other HOF type all time pros vs Joe's the other pros litterally acted like kids when bo came in. Only guy that makes the goats look in awe.. he also caused announcers to just laugh bc so blown out
I am so surprised hes never talked about the Best running back in history. If not for his injury his numbers would of been amazing. He my favorite player of all time.
I remember watching his return to baseball and that home run he hit. I just now learned about it being for his mother. One thing I have learned in life is that the clock will strike the hour on us all. I bet when it did so upon his mother, that was one of the most proud people to have ever passed. I'm not religious but I'll say when he hit that home run, somewhere out there, she was smiling ear to ear.
More than a athlete bo was a amazing individual he continued to show that he’s just a real person and there isn’t ppl like that anymore just the way he talks about his mom is beautiful bo has always inspired me since the day I watched his 30-30
i used to run the rock in high school, so i was really paying attention to other running backs at the time. there was no one else like bo jackson, the dude was unreal. i've been thinking about it, and maybe hershel walker comes close, but no other back had the same combination of speed and power. he was jaw dropping.
