Running Back
Bo Jackson
"Bo literally would play baseball until the middle of the fall, walk in off the street, and be dominant." - Howie Long
by Charles Barkley Howie Long
For a brief period between 1987 and 1990, Bo Jackson was as larger-than-life and exciting a player as the NFL had ever seen. Among the best athletes ever to play in the NFL, Jackson was big, strong, and blazing fast – and he also was a Major League Baseball All-Star. An Alabama native who won a Heisman Trophy at Auburn, Jackson had decided to play baseball despite being picked first overall by Tampa Bay in the 1986 NFL Draft. But he joined the Raiders the following season, and was an instant phenomenon, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and running for a memorable 91-yard TD on Monday Night Football. On and off the field, Jackson seemed destined for greatness. In Nintendo's Tecmo Bowl, his likeness became legendary, while images of him as a two-sport-star – as part of his “Bo Knows” Nike advertising campaign – seemed to be everywhere. But Jackson, who made a Pro Bowl in 1990, suffered a hip injury that abruptly ended his NFL career – and he’d go down in sports history as one of the greatest players whose potential was never realized.
Most Popular
2013
Seattle Seahawks
by Mina Kimes
"The entire team was so perfect and had such a strong identity." - Mina Kimes
reporter Seahawks
2007
New England Patriots
by Peter King
"I'm not entirely sure they had any weakness. Most teams have one or two strengths." - Tony Romo
reporter Patriots
1985
Chicago Bears
by Matt Walsh Men in Blazers
"The '85 Bears were a breath of fresh air to Chicago." - Kevin Cronin
actor celebrity Bears
Charles
Barkley
Charles Barkley is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. During his 16-year NBA career, in which he played for the 76ers, Suns, and Rockets, Barkley was an 11-time All-Star and won the league’s MVP in 1992-93. He is currently an analyst for the TNT show, “Inside the NBA.” Barkley, who spent eight seasons playing in Philadelphia, has called the city “an Eagle town by far” and has said that Eagles fans “are the best in the world.”
Profession:
athlete
Place of Birth:
Leeds, AL
Preferred Team:
Philadelphia Eagles
Howie
Long
Howie Long, a former eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the Raiders from 1981 to 1993, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Long, a Massachusetts native, totaled 84 career sacks and in January 1984 helped the Raiders beat the Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. After retiring in 1993, Long became a studio analyst for the show, “Fox NFL Sunday,” and won an Emmy Award in 1997. In addition to his role on “NFL Sunday,” Long is an analyst for Thursday Night Football’s pregame and halftime shows.
Profession:
reporter
Place of Birth:
Somerville, MA
Preferred Team:
Oakland Raiders
