In the increasingly competitive world of professional sports, specialized players that have mastered their sport often are labeled as terrific athletes, and they are. But what many people fail to realize is that these superstars have dedicated thousands of hours to the same motions, plays, and mechanics for only one sport, and that they can perform outstandingly in that one sport should not be a surprise. Athletes such as LeBron James, Usain Bolt, and Michael Phelps have been looked upon as the world’s best; however, their accomplishments reflect only a limited selection of abilities. Granted, these athletes each are arguably the most impressive in their respective sport, but they should not be given the title of “greatest athlete.” Instead, a more well-versed athlete excelling in multiple sports is deserving of the title—Bo Jackson.
Jackson was somewhat of an athletic prodigy from the start, but his career ended early due to an unfortunate injury. He was demonstrating superior talent from as early as eighth grade. In 30 for 30: You Don’t Know Bo, one of his junior-high classmates recounted Bo dunking an entire stick in a regulation basketball hoop.
Straight out of high school, Jackson caught the eye of the New York Yankees and was recruited to play for them—although he promptly turned down this offer to pursue a career in a different sport, football, at the University of Alabama. During his collegiate career, Jackson led his baseball team to victory, became a football MVP as well as a Sugar Bowl champ, and also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field team. After college, Jackson shifted gears towards baseball. Jackson signed with the Royals, White Sox, and Angels, and consistently put up impressive numbers. With four 20–home run seasons, an all-star MVP award, and a record for most consecutive at-bat home runs, he was certainly a premier athlete in the MLB.
Jackson’s career doesn’t just include professional baseball, however. After winning the Heisman trophy at Auburn as well as numerous other awards, he decided to play football again. In 1987, he joined the NFL with the Raiders. Jackson ran sensationally in his first season, with accomplishments including a record-breaking 221-yard dash on Monday Night Football and the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded, at 4:12. Sadly, Jackson’s impressive athletic career ended in 1991, a mere four years later, with a hip injury.
Jackson’s raw statistics may not outweigh all those before or after him in baseball or football, but his accomplishments are unsurpassed. Jackson was a top competitor in not one, but two professional sports, which combined with his overall legacy warrants extreme praise. Bo Jackson is, without a doubt, the greatest athlete who ever lived.