Bo Jackson, a former professional baseball and football player, and his wife, Linda, are parents to three kids: Garrett, Nicholas, and Morgan.
Jackson, born on November 30, 1962, in Bessemer, Alabama, embarked on a remarkable athletic journey at Auburn University, excelling in both football and baseball.
His undeniable football prowess, amassing 4,303 rushing yards at an average of 6.6 yards per carry, earned him legendary status and the Heisman Trophy in 1985, securing his place among the top rushers in SEC history.
Transitioning to professional sports, Jackson was the first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1986 NFL draft but chose to pursue baseball, signing with the Kansas City Royals, who had selected him in the fourth round of the MLB draft.
He made his MLB debut on September 2, 1986, and by 1987, he was a fixture in the Royals’ lineup, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 10 bases.
His standout year was 1989 when he was selected as an All-Star and stole the show at the All-Star Game with a 448-foot home run, earning MVP honors.
Though he excelled in baseball, he also shone in the NFL after joining the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987.
One of his most memorable NFL moments came during a 1987 Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, where he famously overpowered linebacker Brian Bosworth for a 91-yard touchdown, culminating in a record-setting 221-yard game.
However, a hip injury during a 1991 playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals abruptly ended his football career.
Despite a brief four-season stint in football, he left a lasting impact, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 and maintaining an impressive average of 5.4 yards per carry.
After being released by the Royals in 1991 due to his injury, he played for the Chicago White Sox and later the California Angels until the 1994-1995 baseball strike prompted his retirement.
In his eight MLB seasons, Jackson achieved a career batting average of .250, hit 141 home runs, and had 415 RBI, with a slugging percentage of .474.
The dual-sport legacy of Bo Jackson serves as a beacon of inspiration for athletes everywhere, showing how immense talent and perseverance can transform the scope of sports accomplishments.
All of Bo Jackson’s Children Pursue Independent Careers Beyond Athletics While Maintaining a Low Profile
Bo Jackson, famed for his dual-sport career in NFL and MLB, shares three children with his wife, Linda Jackson.
The eldest, Garrett Jackson, was born on July 13, 1986, and has pursued a career in PR and Marketing after earning a master’s degree from St. Mary’s in Minnesota.
Nicholas Jackson, the middle child, was born in 1988 and works as an engineer in Alabama.
Unlike their father, neither son pursued college athletics, reflecting Bo’s concerns about the long-term health impacts of football, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
In a 2017 interview, Bo emphasized his decision to dissuade his children from football to prioritize their safety and well-being.
Morgan Jackson, the youngest and only daughter, was born in 1989.
She was an active athlete during her school years, participating in track and field for nine years as a sprinter (100, 200, 4×1, and long jump), gymnastics for eight or nine years, and cheerleading for four years in her high school.
However, she chose not to pursue track beyond high school to avoid constant comparisons to her father.
Morgan attended Auburn University in 2009 and graduated with a degree in English/Professional and Public Writing and a minor in Communications.
As of 2015, she worked at Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports Complex as the Communications Director and a Camp Counselor.
Bo and Linda Jackson have been protective of their children’s privacy, avoiding public exposure and fostering a close-knit family environment.
According to Linda, she said that Bo spoiled them growing up. She said:
Bo is so determined to be a normal father, to be a good father to these kids. It comes from the fact that he was so totally without one. Sometimes he overdoes it with the toys. Our house in Kansas City looks like Toys ‘R’ Us.
Via Baltimoresun
She further added:
But, he’s good with discipline. He doesn’t have to spank them. They respond. I don’t know if it’s his voice or his size.
Via Baltimoresun
The Jackson family currently resides in Burr Ridge, Illinois, where they maintain a low profile, focusing on their personal and professional lives away from the public eye.
Bo’s own reflections on fatherhood emphasize its significance to him, noting:
My role as a father is probably the most important thing to me as a man.
Via Defianttakesfootball
Bo Jackson’s Supportive Wife, Linda, is a Clinical Psychologist
Bo Jackson married his wife Linda in September 1987, and they have been together for 37 years as of 2024.
They first met in the student lounge at Auburn University in 1984, where Linda was working on her doctorate.
Their friendship quickly blossomed into romance as Bo’s football career took off.
During his standout Heisman Trophy season in 1985, the couple discovered Linda was pregnant.
This deepened their relationship, leading to a heartfelt proposal from Bo.
Linda recalled:
Bo said, ‘Let’s just get married now.’ I said: ‘No, I don’t want you to marry me because I’m pregnant.’ Bo replied, ‘I want to marry you because I love you, not because you’re pregnant.’
Via Fanbuzz
After welcoming their first child in 1986, Linda moved to Kansas City with Bo in 1987.
Their daughter Morgan later shared a lighthearted take on her parents’ early days:
They met in college at Auburn. It’s funny because at first my mom didn’t want to date him. She’s a doctor so she probably thought she was going to marry another doctor or a lawyer. My dad ended up chasing her for months. He would just see her around campus and go up and speak to her and probably annoy her and eventually she gave in. It’s been love ever since. They’ve been married almost 30 years.
Via Wagsredefined
Bo Jackson and his wife Linda Jackson. Married since 1987 pic.twitter.com/w6B1uhU6JL
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) March 28, 2024
Linda, who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and health sciences from Tuskegee University and a master’s in counseling psychology from Auburn, is a clinical psychologist.
She has also explored her musical talents, playing the violin throughout her academic career.
Professionally, she worked as a supervisor for a children’s program at the Mobile County Community Mental Health Center before becoming a counseling psychologist at a hospital.
When Bo Jackson Enterprises Inc. was founded in 1992, Linda served as vice president.
She later put her career on hold to support her husband and their three children.
After Bo retired, Linda resumed her career, and she is now working as a brain assessment therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Bo shared his role reversal at home, saying:
I wash dishes, I sweep the floors, and I have her dinner ready when she comes home. It’s my job to make sure that she’s happy.
Via AL
Linda has consistently been a quiet yet strong presence in Bo’s life, working behind the scenes to support his career and manage their family life.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Born to A.D. Adams and Florence Bond, Bo Jackson was the eighth of ten children.
- As an actor, he landed minor roles on television in shows including “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Married… with Children,” as well as in the film “The Chamber.”
