Bo Jackson: We wonder what could have been?
Bo Jackson began his career with the Raiders in 1987. Jackson teamed with Marcus Allen and by the end of the 1987 season the Raiders had the number one rushing attack in the league. Like so many Raider greats before him, Jackson was the ultimate offensive weapon. He could break a long run at any point during a game and he hold several single-game rushing records. My best memory of Jackson is his ultimate game versus LB Brian Bosworth and the Seattle Seahawks. The Raiders were a struggling team but Jackson put on a show that would never be forgotten. His 91 yard touchdown run is something that I will never, ever forget.
Throughout his short career Jackson put up huge numbers. However, Jackson was a two-sport star and playing baseball for the Kansas City Royals took up much of his time. This made Bo a 8 game running back but the results are staggering. In 1990 the Raiders started the season 6-1 and Bo's arrival kept the offensive fireworks alive. In early December, against the Bengals, Jackson had a huge 88-yard run in which he changed direction three times!!! The Raiders went 12-4, won their division and entered the playoffs with a first round bye. In the divisional playoffs Bo started the game with a few big runs. However his last carry was one that I feel hurt the Raiders for ten years. Bo dislocated his hip but some of the blood supply to his hip was cut off.
The bone quickly died and Bo was forced to get hip-replacement surgery and his football career was over forever. Meanwhile the 1990 Raiders went on the the AFC Championship game and lost 51-3 to the Buffalo Bills. The Raiders have only made the playoffs three more times since, only won their division once and have failed to reach a Super Bowl. Bo's injury was just one of the major problems that hampered the Raiders chances to become a solid team again. I always wonder about the possible Super Bowls that could have been if Mr. Jackson wasn't taken from us in his prime.
Bo's career stats as a Raider
| Year | Rush | Yards | Avg. | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg. | TD |
| 1987 | 81 | 554 | 6.8 | 4 | 16 | 136 | 8.5 | 2 |
| 1988 | 136 | 580 | 4.3 | 3 | 9 | 79 | 8.8 | 0 |
| 1989 | 173 | 950 | 5.5 | 4 | 9 | 69 | 7.7 | 0 |
| 1990 | 125 | 698 | 5.6 | 5 | 6 | 68 | 11.3 | 0 |
| Career | 515 | 2782 | 5.4 | 16 | 40 | 352 | 8.8 | 2 |
Bo's career playoff stats
| Games | Rush | Yards | Avg. | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg, | TD |
| 1 | 6 | 77 | 12.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bo's Photos
