The Last Folk Hero summary

When you discover what you want to do in life, you start giving it your all. That was exactly what Bo Jackson did. Not only did he continue playing on the diamond, but he also decided to try two more sports in high school: football and track. 

When he got to ninth grade at McAdory High School, he decided to give football a shot – and ended up on the roster of the junior varsity team. There, he showcased his unbelievable physical strength and speed. Unfortunately, he didn’t particularly stand out among the players … until his junior year, when people started recognizing his talents. He was an integral part of the team's success and a major reason why so many reporters showed up to their games. By the time his last football season was over, he had gained over 1,000 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

College isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But when you’re doing what you love, it makes things easier. Such was Bo Jackson's life at Auburn.

In his debut football game as an Auburn Tigers member, Bo set the field ablaze by rushing for two touchdowns out of ten carries, and a total of 123 yards. When he ended his rookie season, he boasted overall stats of nine scores and 829 yards – but he wasn’t done impressing people yet.

Sometimes, the best things in life come after the worst heartbreaks. And in Bo Jackson’s case, that was joining the Kansas City Royals after losing his eligibility to play in amateur games.

Initially, Bo had to choose between the NFL and the MLB. Playing for the NFL was the more logical choice because he was a Heisman Trophy winner – and NFL paychecks are significantly bigger than MLB’s. There was one teeny problem, though. If Bo chose the NFL, he would be playing for the Buccaneers, who made him the number one pick. The Bucs were the reason he became ineligible to play amateur games in the first place, so playing for them was out of the question. 

Picture this: You’re nearly earning millions to play a sport you love. You’re an icon on the field. Typically, you’d be ecstatic – what else could you possibly want? But not Bo Jackson. He wanted more – and it wasn’t money or fame. He wanted the football field he missed so much.

So when the Los Angeles Raiders took a chance and made him their seventh-round pick in the 1987 NFL draft, Bo jumped on the opportunity. However, he made it clear he would be a part-time player, only joining games after the baseball season ended. 

It’s no secret how tough things are on the football field. You get knocked over – and the next thing you know, you have a torn ligament. 

That’s why the Kansas City Royals had never been fond of Bo Jackson’s decision to play for the LA Raiders. It was just too risky for their star player. Of course, Bo didn't listen – but things went just fine for his first three seasons in the NFL. Sure, he suffered a few injuries here and there, but it was nothing worth worrying about.

Of course, there are certain things in life we wish could last forever. But if there’s one thing that life teaches us, it’s that endings are inevitable. That was the case with Bo Jackson’s sports career.

When the 1994 baseball player strike commenced, Bo was already happily fishing back in Bessemer and enjoying his early days of retirement. He then spent most of his time with his wife, Linda, and their three kids in their suburban Chicago home. 

While Bo Jackson started out as a poor kid in Bessemer, Alabama, his natural talent and passion for sports paved the way for him to become one of the most renowned two-sport athletes in the US. He went on to accomplish impressive feats during his stint at Auburn University and later in the Major Leagues and NFL. He won the Heisman Trophy, joined the All-Star and Pro Bowls, hit baseballs 500 feet, ran superhuman speeds, and became one of the most iconic Nike endorsers. Although he was forced to end his sports career after sustaining a hip injury, he found his higher purpose, establishing himself as a successful businessman and philanthropist.