Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 in Life Purpose | 5 comments

As happens here occasionally since we have a high percentage of male employees (90%), the discussions almost always turn to sports.  Recently we were discussing Bo Jackson and the fact that he was the greatest two-sport athlete, when a debate arose.  Some believe Deion Sanders was the greatest two-sport athlete.  So one of us took Bo’s side and another took Deion’s.   Following is the result of this debate.

Deion Sanders vs. Bo Jackson

Becoming a Pro Athlete takes a lot of hard work, skill and God given talent.  Many kids dream of becoming an NFL player, NBA superstar or a Major League Baseball player.  Not many people make it to the pros, but imagine being good enough to make it to the professional level in two major sports.  Well, Vincent “Bo” Jackson and Deion Sanders were not only good enough to play one professional sport but they played two professional sports and excelled at both.  We will provide the facts and you to decide for yourself whom you think is the best two-sport athlete.

Deion Sanders

Who is the best all-time sports athlete?  When asked this question, Deion Sanders has to be one of the first names that come to mind.  For one, his performance on the field spoke volumes.  If you did not see him play much, you definitely have heard his name.  Next to star athletes like Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, and others with huge endorsements, Deion knew the power of marketing.  Since he was a college athlete, he marketed himself as “Prime Time.”  He had significant endorsements with Nike, Visa and other major companies.  Deion’s popularity was great, but it was far exceeded by his athletic ability which he put on display at the highest level in both the NFL and MLB.  His accomplishments in both professional sports set him apart as the best two-sport athlete ever.

Besides his popularity, Deion’s accomplishments speak loud enough for themselves.  As a student at North Fort Meyers High School, Deion was an All-State athlete in football, baseball, and basketball.  He continued to be a three-sport athlete as a student at Florida State University.  As a Seminole, he played football and baseball while also running track.  As a baseball player at FSU, he helped lead his team to the College World Series in 1987.  As a football player at FSU, he was a two-time first team All-American.  In 1998, he won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the best collegiate defensive back of the year.  Sanders football number (#2) was retired by FSU, and he was inducted into the FSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

His abilities continued to be showcased as he brought his talents to the National Football League and Major League Baseball.  In his first season as a professional athlete he immediately accomplished feats that no other athlete has done.  On September 5, 1989, as a Yankee, Deion hit a homerun against the Seattle Mariners.  Then later that week, on September 10, 1989, Deion capped off the week with punt return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.  He is the only player to hit a MLB homerun and score a touchdown in the NFL in the same week.  Among other accomplishments Deion played in both a World Series and Super Bowl (1992 World Series & 1994, 1995 Super Bowls).  He was a Super Bowl Champion in both 1994 and 1995.

As a baseball player, Deion was known for his speed on the base paths.  In 1997, he had 56 stolen bases, a career high.  Deion eventually swiped 186 bases in total.  His best batting performance came in one of the few seasons where he completely focused on baseball throughout the season.  In 1992, he batted .304 with 14 triples.  His 14 triples led the MLB.  That same season he also had a .533 batting average in the World Series.  His career stats included a .263 batting average, 558 total hits, and 43 career triples.  Though he was a good professional baseball player, he also excelled on the gridiron.

As a football player Deion stood out above the rest.  This is where “Prime Time” was truly on display.  He was an 8-time NFL Pro Bowler (1991-1994, 1996-1999).  He was a 2-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.  He was known for his ability to pick the ball off and get the ball into the end zone.  He finished his career with 56 total interceptions.  His impact on the gridiron was much greater than just defending wide receivers.  He also returned kickoffs and punts for a total of 5,722 yards (kickoffs for 3,523 yards and 212 punt returns for 2,199 yards).  He was actually able to score a touchdown six different ways: rushing, receiving, fumble recovery, kickoff return, punt return, and interception return.  He is the only player in NFL history to have accomplished this feat- what an athlete!  He ended his career with 7,838 total all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns.  Deion was inducted to the Hall of Fame this year (2011).

Deion Sanders resume’ speaks for itself.  Deion was an incredible athlete.  One of the best NFL defensive backs ever.  On top of all his NFL accomplishments, he was also a solid MLB player for nine seasons.  To me, there is no doubt.  Deion Sanders is the all-time best two- sport athlete.

Bo Jackson

Bo Jackson was one of 10 children in his family born inBessemer,Alabamain 1962.  He attended McAdury High School and as a running back, rushed for 1,175 yards and as a baseball player hit 20 homeruns in 25 games his senior year.  Bo also was state champion twice in the 100 meter dash.  In June of ’81 in the MLB draft the New York Yankees selected Bo in the second round, but he chose to take a football scholarship atAuburnUniversity.

In college Bo played both football and baseball.  Playing all four years of football, Bo accumulated 4,303 yards rushing, 43 touchdowns and a 6.6 yard per carry average.  He was a 1983 and 1985 Consensus All-American, 1985 SEC player of the year, 1985 Walter Camp player of the year, and the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner.  Also in ’85 college baseball season Bo batted .401 with 17 HR and 43 RBI.

In 1986 Jacksonwas drafted by the Tamp Bay Buccaneers with the first pick in the NFL draft, but opted to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals rather than play for the Bucs.  Playing in the minor league most of the first two years, Bo was called up to the Big League in 1987 where he hit 22 HR’s, had 53 RBI’s, and had 10 stolen bases for the Royals.  In the ’89 season Bo really came into his own when he hit 32 HR’s and had 105 RBI’s.  For his outstanding play, Bo was voted to play in the All-Star game where he was awarded the MVP trophy for his outstanding catch to end the top of the first inning and then moments later led off the bottom half of the same inning with a home run.  During his 8 year career he had 598 hits, 141 HR’s, 415 RBI’s, and a .250 batting average.

As stated earlier, Bo was drafted by the Bucs in the 1986 draft.  Since he did not sign with them his rights went back into the draft where he was selected by Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders in the 7^th Round in 1987.  Al Davis wassupportive of Bo and his baseball career and let him join the team when the baseball season was over.  In that first season Bo rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries in seven games.  In a Monday night game during his rookie year against the Seattle Seahawks, Bo ran over the trash- talking Brian Bosworth and the rest of his team for 221 yards and two rushing touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass.  On his famous 91 yard run the announcers thought Bo was not going to be able to stop as he ran halfway into the tunnel.  In four seasons with the Raiders he rushed for 2,782 yards,  16 rushing touchdowns , two receiving touchdowns, a 5.4 yard per carry average and a lot of excitement.

Bo Jackson’s career in football was cut short due to a hip injury he suffered while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1990 playoffs.  Because of the injury Bo had to have his hip replaced and soon after the surgery he announced that he would be coming back to play baseball.  Many people thought that there was no possible way that anyone would be able to play at the professional level with an artificial hip, but they must not have told Bo that.  He finished his career with the Chicago White Sox and then the California Angels.

I think Bo was a spectacular athlete and that was what you got when you watched him play -something spectacular.  You were always on the edge of your seat waiting for him to break that long run or hit that towering home run.  Bo was a very powerful athlete who could do the amazing and those who watched him play always got their money’s worth.  He is the only athlete to ever be voted to the All-Star game in two major sports.

Ok, the facts are laid out before you and now it is time for you to decide who you think is the best two-sport athlete Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders or maybe you have someone else in mind.  Let us know what you think.