Bo Jackson is a retired American professional athlete who has a net worth of $25 million as of 2023. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile athletes of all time, as he excelled in both baseball and football at the highest level. In this article, we will explore Bo Jacksonās net worth, bio, wiki, career, and more.
Biography of Bo Jackson
Early Life and Upbringing
Vincent Edward Jackson was born Bo Jackson in Bessemer, Alabama, on November 30, 1962. The eighth of 10 children in an impoverished household. His relatives called him āBoā since he was a rambunctious boy. He played baseball, football, basketball, and track as a kid. He excelled in all four sports at McAdory High School. He broke state records in the 100-meter sprint and high jump and won two decathlon state titles. Senior year, he led his football team to a state championship and hit 20 home runs in 25 baseball games.
Sports Career and Achievements
Bo Jackson was recruited by many colleges for both football and baseball, but he chose to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship. He played for the Auburn Tigers from 1982 to 1985, where he became one of the best running backs in college football history. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 as the most outstanding player in the nation. He also played baseball for Auburn and was a two-time All-American outfielder. He set school records for home runs, batting average, and slugging percentage.
Bo Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft, but he refused to sign with them because they had sabotaged his baseball eligibility at Auburn. He instead signed with the Kansas City Royals, who had drafted him in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut later that year and became a regular starter in 1987. He also signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as a seventh-round pick in the 1987 NFL Supplemental Draft. He played both baseball and football professionally from 1987 to 1990, becoming the only athlete to be named an All-Star in both sports.
Bo Jacksonās Career
Professional Football Career
Bo Jackson played for the Raiders as a part-time running back from 1987 to 1990. He only played in games that did not conflict with his baseball schedule, but he still managed to produce some spectacular performances on the field. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Raiders. He also had some memorable moments, such as running over Brian Bosworth on Monday Night Football, breaking off a 91-yard touchdown run against the Bengals, and rushing for 221 yards against the Seahawks.
Bo Jacksonās football career ended abruptly in January 1991, when he suffered a devastating hip injury during a playoff game against the Bengals. The injury caused him to lose blood supply to his hip joint, resulting in avascular necrosis. He had to undergo hip replacement surgery and was forced to retire from football at age 28.
Professional Baseball Career
Bo Jackson played for the Royals from 1986 to 1990, where he established himself as one of the most powerful and athletic players in baseball. He hit 109 home runs and stole 82 bases in his five seasons with the Royals. He also displayed his arm strength and speed on defense, throwing out runners from the outfield and making spectacular catches. He was selected to the All-Star Game in 1989, where he won the MVP award after hitting a leadoff home run and making a running catch at the wall.
Bo Jackson missed most of the 1991 season due to his hip injury, but he made a remarkable comeback in 1992 with the Chicago White Sox. He hit a home run in his first at-bat after surgery and finished the season with 16 home runs in 85 games. He also became the first player to hit a home run in an All-Star Game after having hip replacement surgery. He played one more season with the White Sox in 1993, then joined the California Angels in 1994. He retired from baseball after the strike-shortened season at age 32.
Impact and Legacy
Bo Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile athletes of all time. He is also considered one of the most influential celebrity endorsers of all time, as he starred in several iconic commercials for Nike, Pepsi, Gatorade, and other brands. His āBo Knowsā campaign for Nike was especially popular and helped boost sales of cross-training shoes from $40 million to $400 million per year. His impact on sports culture was also evident in his appearances in video games, movies, cartoons, and rap songs.
Bo Jackson has been honored by various organizations and institutions for his achievements and contributions to sports and society. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Breitbard Hall of Fame in 2011. He also received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2010, the Jim Thorpe All-Around Award in 2011, and the Doak Walker Legends Award in 2012. He has also been involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes, such as supporting childrenās hospitals, cancer research, and education.
Bo Jacksonās Net Worth
Earnings and Endorsements
Bo Jackson made $12.9 million playing baseball and football. Nike, Pepsi, Gatorade, and AT&T sponsorships brought him tens of millions of dollars. After inflation, he earned $6 million from salary and sponsorships at his peak, or $11 million now.
Investments and Business Ventures
Bo Jackson is a wealthy investor and entrepreneur. He invested in a bank, food firm, sports complex, and wellness facility. Bo Jackson Elite Sports, his sports management organization, trains young athletes. He started Bo Jackson Signature Foods, which sells burgers, ribs, sausages, and seafood.
Bo Jackson is one of the wealthiest athletes in the world with $25 million in 2023. With his wife Linda and three children, he lives comfortably and happily. His fitness and athletic activities include riding across Alabama, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and running a marathon. He loves hunting and fishing. He inspires many with his brilliance, tenacity, and perseverance.
