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Biography & Memoir

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The Last Folk Hero summary

Name: The Last Folk Hero
Author: Jeff Pearlman

Jeff Pearlman

The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson

18 mins

Brief summary

'The Last Folk Hero' by Jeff Pearlman is a biography of baseball player, Chipper Jones. It follows his journey from childhood to becoming an MLB star, exploring his personality, achievements, and controversies along the way.

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Biographies Sports

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The Last Folk Hero
Summary of 8 key ideas

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What’s in it for me? Dive into the life of one of the most celebrated athletes in American history.

It’s December 1991. You just got the newly released Tecmo Super Bowl game on your Nintendo home console, and one of the players looks suspiciously familiar. Staring back at you is a pixelated Bo Jackson in a black uniform, playing for the Los Angeles Raiders.

He’s the fastest player in the game. And with him on the field, you're sure to destroy your opponent.

But if you think the pixelated Bo Jackson is awesome, wait until you learn that he is just as superhuman in real life. In this Blink to The Last Folk Hero, by Jeff Pearlman, you’ll get an inside view on the life of this two-sport wonder – and learn what made him a superstar.

Bo Jackson’s childhood was rough, and sports became his coping mechanism.

Maybe you think that famous athletes’ early lives are filled with camps and coaches who help them hone their skills and get ready for the world of professional sports. That might be true for some – but not for Bo Jackson.

Bo Jackson, born Vincent Edward Jackson, grew up in a three-room home in Bessemer, Alabama, with no bathrooms and nine siblings. His dad, A. D. Adams, was married to another woman and seldom around, while his mom, Florence Jackson, was a solo parent working long hours to make ends meet.

Childhood was never smooth sailing for Bo. Decked out in hand-me-downs and soiled clothes, he and his siblings typically scavenged for wild animals just so they had something on their plates. They shared beds and earned a few extra cents by selling plastic bags to the neighborhood bootlegger.

Living with next to nothing and a mom who whipped her kids with an extension cord, Bo grew up to be a troublemaker. He made a pastime out of bullying his classmates, stealing bikes, and throwing rocks at people. But things started to change one summer day in 1973. Bo, at the age of ten, found a better avenue for his time: sports.

That summer, he joined the Bessemer Little League coached by his mom’s cousin-in-law. Right off the bat, people saw how natural of a player he was. Days of sprinting through the woods and flinging around rocks had obviously paid off for Bo. And before he knew it, he was playing for the Raimund Pirates in the Pony League – and then for the local industrial league's Ben All-Stars.

He was nowhere near an elite athlete yet. But little did everyone know that they were witnessing a sports superstar in the making.

Bo Jackson was an elite three-sport athlete in high school.

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.

Bo Jackson’s college life was devoted to his three beloved sports – but mainly to football.

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.

Bo Jackson was an equally iconic player on the professional baseball field.

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.

Bo Jackson proved his athletic prowess by playing both baseball and football.

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.

A football mishap put both of Bo Jackson’s sports careers on the rocks.

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.

Bo Jackson spent his retirement building businesses and doing charity work.

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.

Final Summary

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.

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What is The Last Folk Hero about?

The Last Folk Hero (2022) dives into Bo Jackson's life and career as a multi-sport phenomenon. It details his early childhood days in Bessemer, Alabama, and the feats he accomplished as an amateur and professional player.

The Last Folk Hero Review

The Last Folk Hero (2021) by Jeff Pearlman is an engaging exploration of the life and legacy of a true American icon. This is why we recommend reading it:

Through thorough research and captivating storytelling, the book brings to life the fascinating journey of an underdog who became a cultural phenomenon.
It offers a nuanced perspective on the highs and lows of the folk hero's life, shedding light on the complex nature of fame and its impact on individuals.
The book uncovers lesser-known aspects of the folk hero's story, unearthing hidden details and providing fresh insights for readers to discover and contemplate.

Who should read The Last Folk Hero?

People curious about Bo Jackson’s life
Football and baseball fans
Biography geeks

About the Author

Jeff Pearlman is a former ESPN and Sports Illustrated writer and now a New York Times best-selling author. He chronicled the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers in his book Showtime, which was later turned into the HBO series Winning Time.

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Biography & Memoir

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