Auburn to honor Bo Jackson this football season

FILE – Former MLB and NFL player Bo Jackson, watches Auburn and Clemson practice before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Auburn, Ala. Jackson helped pay for the funerals of the 19 children and two teachers killed in the Uvalde school massacre in May. The donation was previously anonymous but Jackson told The Associated Press this week he felt compelled to support the victims’ families after the loss of so many children. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Auburn University says it will honor Bo Jackson at the Iron Bowl this football season.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Jackson’s 1985 Heisman Trophy winning season.

In addition to playing football, Jackson also played baseball and ran track at Auburn from 1982 to 1986, and later played professionally in the NFL and MLB.

The Bessemer native became Auburn’s second Heisman Trophy winner after rushing 1,786 yard and had 17 touchdowns.

“Ever since he arrived on the Plains in 1982, Bo Jackson has represented Auburn in a world class manner in his athletic, professional and philanthropic endeavors,” Auburn athletics director John Cohen said. “Bo’s 1985 season ranks among the greatest in the storied history of Auburn and the Southeastern Conference. It is our privilege to honor Bo on the 40th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy season.”

Jackson finished his four-year Auburn career with 4,303 rushing yards and 4,575 all-purpose yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. His No. 34 jersey was retired as part of Auburn’s football centennial celebration in 1992.

Jackson played eight MLB seasons for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels and was the 1989 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player and 1993 American League Comeback Player of the Year.

Jackson spent four seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, totaling 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns before having his football career cut short with an injury in 1991.