The Only Sport Bo Jackson Doesn't Dominate Is The One That Can't Be Dominated

If you are of a certain age -- and I am, for all the good and the bad that brings -- I remember very well the exploits of one Vincent Edward Jackson, known to the world as "Bo."  We were in college at the same time in the early 1980s, and at Auburn, Jackson was an unstoppable force on the football field.  He won the 1985 Heisman Trophy, was a world class sprinter in the 100 meter dash, and was a great baseball star for the Tigers at the same time.  Later, he was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American professional sports.

In short, if there was a game that could be played, Jackson was the man who would be the best at the sport, seemingly what ever that sport was.

Jackson was revered for his ability, and was a superstar among superstars in his time.  Nike featured him in a popular ad series called "Bo Knows" - where Jackson starred playing every sport that crossed his mind:

His career was unfortunately cut short in an NFL playoff game when he suffered a hip injury on a hard tackle. That injury ended his football career and seriously threatened his baseball career. After Jackson was tackled and lying in pain on the ground, he allegedly popped his hip back into place. Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, it was discovered that Jackson had avascular necrosis, as a result of decreased blood supply to the head of his left femur This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring that the hip be replaced.  Jackson made a comeback, but was never quite the same and ultimately, he retired before his time.

Later, like many retired athletes still itching for competition, he took up golf.  Some have had great success on the course, others, not so much.  And for those of us, who saw a living Superman playing sports two decades ago, it's a great surprise that Bo Jackson belongs in that latter group.

Jackson recently related to CNBC's Darren Rovell that people still use the 'Bo Knows" phrase whenever they encounter him, and that sometimes he hears it on the golf course too: "they say," he told Rovell, "Bo knows how to slice." Jackson then showed the same million dollar smile that made him a beloved part of the fabric of the sporting life three decades ago.

Welcome to our world, Bo. No one beats golf.  But like us, you'll probably never stop trying.