Bo Jackson Biography Essay

Bo Jackson was brought into this world with a gift of greatness. Growing up with only his mother, in small town Bessemer, Alabama, Bo often felt like he did not belong. Throughout his childhood he was made fun of. This transformed him into a troubled kid. The anger he built up was soon used to his advantage through athletics and made him capable of great strength and courage, he took his talent on the road, and was the most humble athlete that sports fans have ever seen.

Bo Jackson showed the world how he was capable of great strength and courage when he would jump a distance no one thought was possible, throw crabapples farther than any other boys in the neighborhood, then go on to play two professional sports. Growing up Bo felt like an outsider,

but little did he know that was just his gift shining through him, separating him from all the average kids. Throughout high school, Bo managed to competitively play football in the fall, baseball and track in the spring and still be the star player of each team. During his senior year of football he rushed 1175 yards as a running back, then went on to hit 25 home runs during baseball season. He broke records in football, baseball, and track. Each of these accomplishments made great kids look average. After high school, Bo was nowhere near done, he was just getting started.
When given a gift such as Bo’s, it is important to use it to the best ability by taking it over a vast setting. He took a leap of faith right out of high school and went on to play football for the University of Auburn. Right away, he was a big hit. Auburn had never beat Alabama until the year that Bo joined the team. Bo was able to give people hope that they are more than they believe. Soon after his time was up with Auburn, Bo went on to play major league baseball with the Kansas City Royals. Not many people have the talent to go from playing division 1 college football to playing major league baseball. A great hero shares his gift with the world and Bo did just that. During baseball season Bo was committed to the Royals, once football season came around he was committed to the LA Raiders. No one in the history of sports has ever had the gift he had and been able to share it across the nation, like a real epic hero would do. Well into Bo’s journey as a hero, he injured his hip, requiring surgery. Everyone thought Bo’s career was over, but people doubted his greatness. Bo spent time in rehabilitation and came back in great shape to play for the White Sox, taking his talent to a new team again. His travels and journey through athletics, makes him the most epic hero sports has ever known.
Through every record Bo broke, every game he won, and every legacy he left, he managed to be an incredibly humble athlete unlike no other.

Even though he was the first great athlete to come from a small town as a troubled kid and been able to accomplish the things he has, he always stayed humble. Some athletes may seem humble on the outside, but Bo was humble on the inside and outside. Throughout his high school, college, and professional career he knew he made great athletes look average, but he never thought to brag about it. He was simply playing sports for the love of the game unlike so many athletes seen today. So many athletes are in it for the money and fame, Bo did it because it is all he knew to do. For example, Alabama offered Bo a scholarship to play football but stated that he might not get out on the field until his sophomore year. Bo easily turned Alabama down and went onto the next school, Auburn because they promised that he would be able to play the game he loved. Not very often do humble athletes come around with a gift as great as Bo’s, so it is one of the many reasons why sports fans across the nation loved him.

Bo Jackson is considered an epic hero because he is capable of great strength and courage, shared his talent with the nation, and stayed humble throughout his journey. He overcame bullying, living with a single mother, and being a troubled kid, continuing to go on and play professional sports for the rest of his life. Bo Jackson will live on in the

name of sports. He may not of made it in any hall of fames, but he sure did leave a name for himself as the greatest, most humble athlete to ever play two professional sports.