🏈 How good was Bo Jackson?

[BigAl]

I been into a discussion with a fried of mine that's an avid fan of Bo Jackson. Since its the off season I'd like to get your opinion of how good you think Bo really was.

I keep telling this guy that Bo was good but not as great as he seems to think. He tellls me he was the best ever. He claims he was better than Emmit Smith and i find that hard to believe. I don't think Bo was as good as Walter Payton or Emmit or Hershel Walker. But he admits Bo wasn't as good as Jim Brown. What's your opinion on this?

 

[psychojoe]

There is no doubt in my mind that he was one of the most physically talented players we've ever played against. In 1983 he had two sensational touchdown runs against us to key their win. In 1984 he had a blunder on a blocking assignment that likely cost them the game. He was sensational again in 1985, but Van Tiffin saved the day. I would say that he was great by msot definitions of the word.

Here is what Wikipedia had to say.

During his time playing for the Auburn Tigers football team, he ran for 4,303 career yards,<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-ESPN_SportsCentury_6-1>[7]</SUP> which was the fourth best performance in SEC history. Jackson finished his career with an average of 6.6 yards per carry, which set the SEC record (minimum 400 rushes).
In 1982, Jackson's freshman year, Auburn played Boston College in the Tangerine Bowl, where Jackson made a one-handed grab off an option pitch. Auburn went on to win the game 33-26.
In 1983, as a sophomore, Jackson rushed for 1,213 yards on 158 carries, for an average of 7.7 yards per carry, which was the 2nd best single-season average in SEC history (min. 100 rushes). In the 1983 Auburn-Alabama game, Jackson rushed for 256 yards on 20 rushes (12.8 yards per carry), which at the time was the sixth-most rushing yards gained in a game in SEC history and the 2nd best yard-per-rush average in a game (min. 20 attempts) in SEC history. Auburn finished the season by winning the Sugar Bowl, where Jackson was named Most Valuable Player. In 1984, Jackson's junior year (most of which Jackson missed due to injury), he earned Most Valuable Player honors at Liberty Bowl.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-7>[8]</SUP>
In 1985, Jackson rushed for 1,786 yards, which was the second best single-season performance in SEC history. That year, he averaged 6.4 yards per rush, which at the time was the best single-season average in SEC history. For his performance in 1985, Jackson was awarded the Heisman Trophy in what was considered the closest margin of victory ever in the history of the award, winning over University of Iowa Quarterback Chuck Long.<SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-ESPN_SportsCentury_6-2>[7]</SUP>
Jackson's football number 34 was officially retired at Auburn in a halftime ceremony on October 31, 1992. His is one of only three numbers retired at Auburn, the others being 1971 Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan's number 7, and Sullivan's teammate and favorite receiver, Terry Beasley (88). In 2007, Jackson was ranked #8 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list.

 

[JoshB]

One of the best backs ever, and that pains me to say. Not the brightest bulb in the pack but a sensational football player.

 

[planomateo]

he was a phenomenal athlete, no question about it. I always enjoyed watching him run, even when he played at Auburn. Watching him in the NFL was awesome as well.

Personally, I don't think Emmitt was as great as everyone makes him out to be, I think his line made him what he was ...same for Troy Aikman, but I'm sure some of you will argue. I think Bo was better than Emmitt.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

Bo Jackson would of been without a doubt one of the best ever if not for his hip. Phenomenal runner, Great field vision and would run over you.

 

[TidePride50]

I think Bo is the most physically gifted athlete I have ever seen. So yes, I think he was great.

 

[Big_Fan]

He was a barner...but a phenomenal back. Once in a lifetime talent and ability. I wear crimson shades, but they are not dark enough to deny his greatness.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Few people know this, but he was also one hell of a tetherball player. He damn near killed some kids at McAdory High back in the day. In fact, his junior year, they had to do away with the sport during PE because of liability concerns.

 

[planomateo]

hell, I would say he was a better baseball player than he was a football player - and that speaks volumes about the type of athlete he was. the most impressive thing I ever saw him do was run up the wall in the outfield...it was crazy. He had many a stories on the football field, but this one in particular is one of the most amazing things I've seen.

 

[jdpas29]

Bo Jackson is one of the best all-around athletes i've ever seen. He was nearly unstoppable in the open field and was the most punishing hitter as a running back that i've EVER seen. i must give him props on that.

 

[BamaPride]

I've heard about some of the home runs he hit in highschool. Amazing stuff.

 

[rammerjammer]

I keep thinking that Doemasters will chime in on this one. Doe's older brother was the fullback for Bo in highschool. Bo acknowledged him at an awards banquet one time, really embarrassed him.

Bo was extraordinary. I think he was without a doubt one of the greatest backs the SEC has ever had.

As far as Emmit Smith. I tend to agree with Planomateo. I would have loved to have seen what Barry Sanders would have done behind the Dallas Cowboys line back in the 90's. No doubt in my mind that he would be the measuring stick to which all backs would be compared.

 

[bamatuska]

Bo could have been one of the best running backs of all time. He was a rare mix of size, speed and power. Still remember him running over the BOZ against Seattle. If not for injury may have been an all time great.

 

[Big_Fan]

Bo could have been one of the best running backs of all time. He was a rare mix of size, speed and power. Still remember him running over the BOZ against Seattle. If not for injury may have been an all time great.

I was watching that game...and the game he got injured in. I was a Raiders fan back when "Just Win Baby" meant something. Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen in the same backfield...

 

[planomateo]

you remember what Steve Largent said right? something to the effect of Woosh!

 

[rick4bama]

Not one thing negative about Bo on any reply. I bet you dollar to a donut you wouldn't see that on any alburn site about a past Bama players.
The best thing I like about Bo was watching him run over the BOZ.

 

[RollTideinGA]

As usual when discussing great backs Barry Sanders is left out. If he had stayed in the NFL Emmitt never would have taken the rushing title. And Emmitt himself admitted that. Was Barry better than Payton or Brown? No probably not. All have different running styles.

I heard a quote on time where an All-Pro defensive player stated "Barry is a guy that you just hope you tackle." His shiftiness and spin moves left more defenders stunned than any back I've ever seen. I'll never forget watching the Lions play at Tampa Bay. Imagine what Barry could have done on a good team. He was awesome.

As for Bo he was a beast. Power and speed. Just like Herschel. Emmitt had a mix of it all, Sweetness and Barry were more alike. Jim Brown I never got to see him play.

I'd like to put Ingram in that group discussion some day.

 

[psychojoe]

On Jim Brown, Sam Huff, the Giants HOF middle linebacker of that era said that Brown was so big in the upper body that all you could do was hit him low and hang on until help gets there.

Bo was just an incredible athlete. His baseball talent was awesome, his fundamentals what you would expect from someone who never took baseball seriously until he finished with football in college. I saw a throw he made at KC that was breath taking. He was playing left and caught a fly ball on the warning track. There was a runner on third who tagged and while not completely loafing wasn't exactly sprinting either. Bo uncorked a throw all the way to the catcer on the fly, and he tagged out a very surprised runner.

 

[UAgrad93]

Bo's exploits were amazing. He was no doubt one of the greatest "athletes" ever. We all think of his football and baseball accomplishmnets, but he was a helluva track athlete as well.

 

[CrimsonPirate]

Bo Jackson would of been without a doubt one of the best ever if not for his hip. Phenomenal runner, Great field vision and would run over you.

I agree. I think that's all that stood in the way of Bo becoming one of the best of all time. I remember when he was with the Raiders and Brian Bosworth tried to take him on, one on one, at the goal-line. Bo ran right over Bosmouth.