My All Time Favorite Sports Star - Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson was born Vincent Edward Jackson. Bo Jackson was the eighth of ten children born to his parents. The nickname "Bo" came from what his family used to call him, wild boar. I'm guessing his nickname shows he was always a very active person. He was born in Bessemer, AL on November 30, 1962. Later in life, although a top athletic performer, he made sure he got his degree. That was in Adult Education. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in family and child development.

Bo Knows-Football

In football, Bo Jackson won the Heisman Trophy for his achievements. He was the running back for the Los Angeles Raiders. He said at one point how it was nice to get paid for something he considered a hobby.

During his college years in football, he played for Auburn Tigers football team. while on this team, he ran 4,303 career yards! He also won MVP multiple times. In 1998, he became a College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Bo Knows-Baseball

In baseball, he played for Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. His positions were outfielder and designated hitter. For the Royals, he hit 107 home runs during his career with them. By the year 1989, Bo Jackson was a baseball all-star. Bo Jackson is one of only two baseball players in the All-Star Game history to have hit a ho,e run and steal a base in one game.

Bo Knows-Track and Field

While in Auburn, Bo Jackson was also in track and field. This was during the seasons of 1983 and 1984. Both seasons Bo Jackson qualified for NCAA Indoor Championships for the sixty yard dash. His best time was 6.18 seconds.

Bo Knows-AVN

It was in 1991 after an accident on the football field that led to his diagnose of AVN. This is what ended his career as an athlete. He did come back for a short time in baseball after the hip replacements, but would never be the same again. He retired in 1994.

AVN is condition where the blood supply is cut off to the head of the femur. Without blood, the bone dies. There is a childhood form called Legg-Calve-Perthes'. This is the disease my son had, and will deal with later as he ages and grows. It was because of his disease that I even found out about Bo Jackson. Years ago while researching the disease, I stumbled across Bo Jackson and his achievements and what ended his career-AVN. At the time, he was actually helping children with this disease, but this was years ago and I cannot find the site.

Sources:

http://www.bojackson.net/
http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016045.html