To add a little bit more meaning to the Iron Bowl this season, Auburn athletics will honor legend Bo Jackson to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his 1985 Heisman Trophy-winning season.
While at Auburn from 1982-1986, Jackson played baseball, football and ran track for the Tigers before playing professionally in the National Football League and Major League Baseball. He spent four seasons with the Oakland Raiders in the NFL, totaling 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns before a career-ending injury in 1991. He spent eight seasons in the MLB, playing 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, the program’s second Heisman Trophy winner – Pat Sullivan (1971) and Cam Newton (2010) being the other two to receive the honor – tallied 1,786 yards, 17 touchdowns, and averaged 6.4 yards per carry during the 1985 season. It was the second-best single-season rushing performance in SEC history.
“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 in a release. “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.”
Forever leaving his mark on the athletics program at Auburn, Jackson's No. 34 football jersey was retired in 1992. He finished his Auburn career with 4,303 rushing yards, 4,575 all-purpose yards and 43 rushing touchdowns.
The Iron Bowl is set for November 29 in Jordan-Hare Stadium with kickoff time TBA.
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