Legendary Duo Reunited: Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson Starred Together at Auburn, Then Thrilled Fans Again with the White Sox

Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson. Two of the most iconic multi-sport athletes in American history, their names are etched into the annals of sports greatness. While many remember them as legends in Major League Baseball, few fully appreciate the unique journey that brought these two titans together — not once, but twice. First, as teammates for the Auburn Tigers football team, and later, as teammates again on the Chicago White Sox.

Their story isn’t just about statistics and highlight reels — it’s a tale of power, perseverance, and shared destiny that began on the gridiron fields of Auburn, Alabama.

Auburn Beginnings: A Shared Path

In the early 1980s, Auburn University was a hotbed for athletic talent, particularly on the football field. Head coach Pat Dye was building something special, and among the recruits he brought in were two young men who would change the landscape of American sports: Vincent Edward “Bo” Jackson and Frank Edward Thomas Jr.

Bo Jackson arrived at Auburn in 1982 as one of the most electrifying running back prospects the college football world had ever seen. His raw athleticism, speed, and strength made him a national phenomenon almost immediately. Just two years later, Frank Thomas arrived on campus with a different kind of pedigree. A towering presence from Columbus, Georgia, Thomas was recruited to play tight end for the Tigers, and while he showed promise on the football field, his true love remained baseball.

Though they were never on the same field during a regular-season game — Jackson’s final football season at Auburn was 1985, and Thomas’s football career was short-lived — they were indeed teammates during practice sessions and spring workouts. Their overlapping time at Auburn created a bond of mutual respect. Both were towering physical specimens, both had football futures, and both would eventually chase greatness on the diamond.

Thomas, after realizing his football role was limited, shifted his full focus to baseball — a decision that proved wise. He became the undisputed star of Auburn’s baseball team, hitting with a mix of power and precision that scouts couldn’t ignore. Meanwhile, Jackson would go on to win the 1985 Heisman Trophy and become a two-sport professional athlete in football and baseball — something nearly unfathomable even in today’s era.

Bo: The First to the Big Leagues

Jackson made the leap to Major League Baseball first. After spurning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — who he believed had intentionally sabotaged his college baseball eligibility — Jackson signed with the Kansas City Royals in 1986. Despite limited time in the minors, Jackson quickly made an impact with his strength, speed, and explosive play.

Bo was a once-in-a-generation athlete. In baseball, he could launch 450-foot home runs and outrun just about any outfielder. In football, his power and acceleration made him virtually unstoppable. His status as a cultural icon was cemented in the late ’80s, with Nike’s famous “Bo Knows” campaign that highlighted his two-sport dominance.

However, a hip injury in 1991 while playing for the Los Angeles Raiders ended his NFL career and threatened his baseball future. That same year, Jackson signed with the Chicago White Sox, determined to prove that his athletic career wasn’t over.

Frank Thomas: The Big Hurt Arrives

Meanwhile, Frank Thomas was blazing a trail of his own. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 1989 MLB Draft, Thomas made his big-league debut just a year later. Unlike Bo, whose fame stemmed partly from his multidimensional talents, Thomas was a purist’s dream — a baseball player through and through. He possessed one of the most disciplined batting eyes of his generation, and when he swung the bat, it often resulted in towering home runs.

By 1991, Thomas was the centerpiece of the White Sox franchise. His first full season saw him hit .318 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs. His rare combination of patience and power earned him the nickname “The Big Hurt,” and he quickly became one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball.

It was during this time — the early 1990s — that fate would once again reunite the two Auburn Tigers.

Reunited in the Windy City

From 1991 to 1993, Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas wore the same uniform for the second time in their careers — this time as members of the Chicago White Sox. Jackson, defying medical expectations, returned to baseball action with a metal hip and determination that inspired teammates and fans alike. His first swing as a White Sox player in 1993 resulted in a home run. The legend of Bo was reborn.

Sharing the clubhouse with Frank Thomas, Jackson was not just a teammate — he was a source of wisdom and fire. Thomas, then just hitting his prime, admired Jackson’s courage and work ethic. “Bo was the ultimate competitor,” Thomas once said in an interview. “To see him come back and contribute after that injury? That’s heart. That’s greatness.”

Together, they helped lead a White Sox team that was one of the most formidable in the American League. In 1993, Chicago won the AL West with a 94-68 record. Though they fell short of reaching the World Series, the image of Jackson and Thomas — two former Auburn football players turned MLB stars — standing side by side in the dugout became one of the most iconic visuals of that era.

The Legacy They Share

Individually, both men carved out Hall of Fame-worthy legacies. Bo Jackson’s career was cut short by injury, yet his impact on American sports is unmatched. He was an All-Star in both the NFL and MLB, a feat that may never be repeated. His speed, strength, and humility made him a legend.

Frank Thomas, on the other hand, built a resume that was all about sustained excellence. He won back-to-back American League MVP awards in 1993 and 1994, finished his career with 521 home runs, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a five-time All-Star and remains one of the most revered hitters in baseball history.

Their time as teammates may have been brief in both instances — first at Auburn, and then with the White Sox — but it was meaningful. It symbolized a rare convergence of generational talent, mutual respect, and the kind of bond that can only be forged through shared ambition and elite performance.

Auburn’s Gift to the World

Auburn University can proudly claim to have birthed two of the most dynamic athletes the sports world has ever seen. Though their football careers at the school had different trajectories, both Thomas and Jackson left their mark — on Auburn and on the wider world of sports.

There’s something poetic about two former college football teammates ending up on the same professional baseball team nearly a decade later. It’s a testament to their drive, to the unique athleticism that allowed them to cross sports with success, and to the enduring ties of their shared origin.

In an age of specialization, where young athletes are often urged to pick a single path early on, the story of Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas stands as a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of sports. Two men. One university. Two sports. One unforgettable legacy.

So whether it was in Jordan-Hare Stadium or Comiskey Park, fans had the privilege of witnessing something truly rare: greatness multiplied — not once, but twice.