Auburn Legend Bo Jackson Earns Spot on TIME 100 List, Cementing His Iconic Status in Sports and Cultural History
Bo Jackson, the legendary multi-sport athlete who first rose to prominence with the Auburn Tigers, has achieved yet another major milestone in a life already defined by excellence, perseverance, and cultural impact. TIME magazine has officially named Jackson to its prestigious TIME 100 list, recognizing him not just as a former football and baseball star, but as a larger-than-life figure whose influence continues to shape the worlds of sports, media, philanthropy, and personal resilience. For those who have followed his journey from Auburn to the NFL, MLB, and beyond, this honor represents a long-overdue acknowledgment of his extraordinary contributions both on and off the field.
Bo Jackson’s story has never been just about numbers, although the stats alone are legendary. He won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn in 1985 after a historic college football career that saw him rush for over 4,000 yards and dominate SEC defenses with a combination of power, speed, and vision the game had rarely seen. But his impact extended well beyond the gridiron. Jackson was a transcendent athlete who became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1980s and early ’90s, captivating America as the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both Major League Baseball and the National Football League. “Bo Knows,” the now-immortal Nike campaign, turned him into a global icon.
But what TIME recognized in 2025 goes deeper than box scores and highlight reels. Bo Jackson’s inclusion on the TIME 100 list isn’t merely about what he did in his athletic prime—it’s about what he’s meant to generations of fans, athletes, and everyday people who have looked to him as a symbol of strength, versatility, and quiet dignity. Jackson, who has largely shunned the spotlight in recent years, continues to live a life of purpose, service, and impact, guided by the same values that defined his playing career: humility, work ethic, and resilience.
To understand the depth of this honor, you have to understand who Bo Jackson really is. Born in Bessemer, Alabama, he grew up in a challenging environment, one where opportunity was scarce and discipline was self-taught. He fought his way through hardship with a mix of sheer talent and relentless willpower, earning a scholarship to Auburn University where he would change the face of college football. His performances at Auburn weren’t just dominant—they were transformative. Jackson ran like a freight train with the agility of a wide receiver. He shattered expectations, records, and defensive schemes every Saturday. By the time he left Auburn, he was a campus legend and a national sensation.
And then he did the unthinkable—he made good on his dream to play two professional sports at the highest level. Most athletes struggle to succeed in one. Bo Jackson not only played in the NFL and MLB, he excelled in both. For the Los Angeles Raiders, he delivered some of the most jaw-dropping plays in football history, including a legendary 91-yard touchdown run against the Seattle Seahawks that’s still replayed today as a textbook example of what happens when raw power meets elite speed. In baseball, he was just as astonishing. Whether it was blasting a home run in the All-Star Game or throwing out a runner from the warning track at home plate, Bo proved that his greatness had no boundaries.
What TIME is honoring now, decades after those unforgettable moments, is how Jackson has turned his athletic legacy into something even more meaningful. Since retiring from sports following a devastating hip injury that would’ve ended most careers before they even began, Jackson has carried himself with grace and purpose. He hasn’t sought constant media attention. He hasn’t leveraged his fame for cheap celebrity. Instead, he has focused on his family, his business ventures, and most notably, his philanthropy.
Bo has become an influential voice in charitable work, particularly in his home state of Alabama. After devastating tornadoes tore through the region in 2011, he launched “Bo Bikes Bama,” an annual charity bike ride that raises money for disaster relief and community rebuilding. Through this initiative alone, Jackson has helped raise millions of dollars and personally contributed to the reconstruction of schools, community centers, and homes for those in need. He has done so quietly, consistently, and with a deep personal connection to the people he serves.
In an era when many public figures are defined by headlines and controversies, Bo Jackson stands out for the opposite reason—his integrity. TIME’s editors noted in their write-up that Jackson embodies “the rare blend of excellence and humility, of generational talent and selfless service.” They point to his enduring impact on Black athletes, his role in changing how athletes are marketed, and his quiet leadership as an example of how influence can be wielded without ego. His life, they argue, is a blueprint for what it means to be truly great—someone who rises, falls, rebuilds, and inspires.
Jackson’s connection to Auburn has never wavered. He remains a beloved figure on campus, often returning to mentor young athletes or support university initiatives. In many ways, Auburn is where the legend began, and it’s fitting that his TIME 100 recognition is also a reflection of what Auburn helped shape: a generational figure who broke barriers, shattered ceilings, and redefined what was possible for athletes everywhere. Auburn fans, alumni, and current players continue to look up to Jackson as the gold standard—not just for what he accomplished, but for how he has lived since.
His TIME 100 recognition also comes at a poignant time in sports history, as conversations about athlete mental health, financial literacy, career transitions, and post-career purpose take center stage. Bo Jackson’s life story speaks to all these elements. He’s a rare example of someone who didn’t let injury, disappointment, or the end of the spotlight define him. Instead, he adapted. He moved forward. He built a meaningful life outside the limelight, proving that greatness doesn’t end when the games do.
In many ways, Jackson’s recognition by TIME is a reminder to the world of what true legacy looks like. It’s not just about the touchdowns, home runs, or highlight reels—it’s about who you are when no one’s watching. It’s about what you do with your influence, your platform, and your voice. Bo Jackson has spent decades building that kind of legacy, and now the world is honoring him not just as a sports legend, but as a cultural force, a humanitarian, and a symbol of everything that’s right about leadership.
Bo Jackson’s journey is uniquely American, deeply Southern, and entirely inspiring. From the dusty fields of Bessemer to the roaring crowds at Auburn, from the bright lights of the NFL and MLB to the quiet neighborhoods where he now lends a helping hand, his story has always been about more than sports. It’s about power used responsibly, fame worn humbly, and greatness lived out through action.
To be recognized by TIME as one of the 100 most influential people in the world is an incredible achievement—one that adds a new chapter to an already legendary story. For Bo Jackson, it’s a testament to the impact one life can have when guided by principle, courage, and a relentless drive to do good.
Auburn fans have always known what Bo Jackson means to their school, their state, and the world of sports. Now, the rest of the world is catching up. This TIME 100 honor is not just a personal accolade for Bo—it’s a celebration of every coach who saw his potential, every teammate who stood beside him, every fan who cheered him on, and every young athlete inspired to chase their dreams because of what he represented.
Bo Jackson’s legend was born on the football fields of Auburn, but it lives far beyond them. And now, with his name etched among TIME’s most influential people of 2025, that legend is more secure—and more inspiring—than ever before.
