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What is the purpose of the NFL hall of fame? Is it not to remember the greatest players of the game? Then why isn’t one of the greatest players ever to play the game in it? When people speak of the greatest NFL player of the 80’s and 90’s the first names that come to mind are Dan Marino, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and others. The first three I just mentioned are in the NFL Hall of Fame. Now the greatest NFL player during that time frame was Bo Jackson, yet he has not been inducted into the hall of fame. Bo has not even been considered on a hall of fame ballet. Although he only played for four seasons in the NFL, his statistics were incredible. Before I go on let me give some back ground information of Bo’s history.
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What is the purpose of the NFL hall of fame? Is it not to remember the greatest players of the game? Then why isn’t one of the greatest players ever to play the game in it? When people speak of the greatest NFL player of the 80’s and 90’s the first names that come to mind are Dan Marino, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and others. The first three I just mentioned are in the NFL Hall of Fame. Now the greatest NFL player during that time frame was Bo Jackson, yet he has not been inducted into the hall of fame. Bo has not even been considered on a hall of fame ballet. Although he only played for four seasons in the NFL, his statistics were incredible. Before I go on let me give some back ground information of Bo’s history.7
Bo attended Auburn University for college. He was the first player ever to letter in baseball, football and track. At the end of his junior year Bo declined entering the MLB draft so he could finish his senior year of college. Which ended up being a good decision, Bo went on to earn All-Southeastern Conference running back honors (for the third year in a row), named an All-American, and win the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Bo attended Auburn University for college. He was the first player ever to letter in baseball, football and track. At the end of his junior year Bo declined entering the MLB draft so he could finish his senior year of college. Which ended up being a good decision, Bo went on to earn All-Southeastern Conference running back honors (for the third year in a row), named an All-American, and win the Heisman Memorial Trophy.8
In 1986 after college Bo was selected as the number one pick in the NFL draft, but he shocked the world when he declined so he could play baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Bo later signed with the Los Angeles Raiders to play football part time during baseball season. During his first season of football, Bo rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries. Now many people may not think that is impressive, but it was only in seven games and it was also his rookie season. Bo continued to have great seasons, until 1991 in a playoff game for the Raiders he suffered a hip injury while being tackled. The injury ended his football career.
In 1986 after college Bo was selected as the number one pick in the NFL draft, but he shocked the world when he declined so he could play baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Bo later signed with the Los Angeles Raiders to play football part time during baseball season. During his first season of football, Bo rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries. Now many people may not think that is impressive, but it was only in seven games and it was also his rookie season. Bo continued to have great seasons, until 1991 in a playoff game for the Raiders he suffered a hip injury while being tackled. The injury ended his football career.9
Although Bo’s sports career was not long, he showed the talent of a Hall of Famer. Bo set the record for highest Average yards per carry in the NFL. His time was short in the NFL but till this day his highlights amaze and dazzle viewers. Bo’s story ended with a “what could have happened?” or “would Emmitt Smith have been chasing Bo Jackson’s record instead of Walter Payton?”
Although Bo’s sports career was not long, he showed the talent of a Hall of Famer. Bo set the record for highest Average yards per carry in the NFL. His time was short in the NFL but till this day his highlights amaze and dazzle viewers. Bo’s story ended with a “what could have happened?” or “would Emmitt Smith have been chasing Bo Jackson’s record instead of Walter Payton?”10
Now critics’ number one argument for Bo not to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is that he did not play enough years. But I have researched plenty of other players who have been inducted and although they have more years and better statistics all together, per year Bo was better. Among those that I have researched, they all have more than seven years in the league, except one player who played six years. Cliff Battles played from 1932 to 1937. He played the same position as Bo, and had more statistics. He rushed for a total of 3,511 yards, averaged 4.2 yards a carry, and scored 23 rushing touchdowns. Bo rushed for a total of 2,782 yards, averaged 5.4 yards a carry, and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. The totals are very similar, yet Bo played three seasons less than Cliff. So why is Cliff in the Hall of Fame and Bo isn’t? Take into consideration that the level of completion was a lot harder in the late 1980’s and 1990’s than it was in the 1930’s. I would also like to point out that in Bo’s rookie season he only played 7 games out of 16 because he was playing professional baseball at the same time. So if you compare game for game Bo had better statistics by a long shot.
Now critics’ number one argument for Bo not to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is that he did not play enough years. But I have researched plenty of other players who have been inducted and although they have more years and better statistics all together, per year Bo was better. Among those that I have researched, they all have more than seven years in the league, except one player who played six years. Cliff Battles played from 1932 to 1937. He played the same position as Bo, and had more statistics. He rushed for a total of 3,511 yards, averaged 4.2 yards a carry, and scored 23 rushing touchdowns. Bo rushed for a total of 2,782 yards, averaged 5.4 yards a carry, and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. The totals are very similar, yet Bo played three seasons less than Cliff. So why is Cliff in the Hall of Fame and Bo isn’t? Take into consideration that the level of completion was a lot harder in the late 1980’s and 1990’s than it was in the 1930’s. I would also like to point out that in Bo’s rookie season he only played 7 games out of 16 because he was playing professional baseball at the same time. So if you compare game for game Bo had better statistics by a long shot.11
As I just pointed out, in my previous statement, Bo only played 7 games his rookie season due to his Major League baseball career. His baseball career would affect his other three seasons, since baseball does not end till October and football starts in August, and that’s not even counting training camp. Just about all players start training camp in July, which gives them 2 months to prepare for the football season. Now Bo did not have that time, he barely had time to learn the offensive play book, and yet he still managed to amaze and dazzle his viewers. So when critics try to compare stats they should take in to consideration that he did not play in every game in all his seasons, and he did not have the time to prepare like other hall of famers did. Now Ron Flatter once said “There have been others — from Jim Thorpe to Deion Sanders. But even now, eight years after he played his last football game and four years since his last baseball game, Bo Jackson is still considered by many to be “the man” among multi-sport athletes.”
As I just pointed out, in my previous statement, Bo only played 7 games his rookie season due to his Major League baseball career. His baseball career would affect his other three seasons, since baseball does not end till October and football starts in August, and that’s not even counting training camp. Just about all players start training camp in July, which gives them 2 months to prepare for the football season. Now Bo did not have that time, he barely had time to learn the offensive play book, and yet he still managed to amaze and dazzle his viewers. So when critics try to compare stats they should take in to consideration that he did not play in every game in all his seasons, and he did not have the time to prepare like other hall of famers did. Now Ron Flatter once said “There have been others — from Jim Thorpe to Deion Sanders. But even now, eight years after he played his last football game and four years since his last baseball game, Bo Jackson is still considered by many to be “the man” among multi-sport athletes.”12
Now there isn’t a set criteria for the hall of fame, it is purely judgmental by the hall of fame committee. So why hasn’t Bo been inducted? It can not be that he hasn’t impressed any one, and if it is because he doesn’t have enough stats, I would have to disagree with that statement because he should be judged on the time he was in the NFL and what he did in the short amount of time. Bo accomplished much in his football career, much more than some considering the standards in which he played.
Now there isn’t a set criteria for the hall of fame, it is purely judgmental by the hall of fame committee. So why hasn’t Bo been inducted? It can not be that he hasn’t impressed any one, and if it is because he doesn’t have enough stats, I would have to disagree with that statement because he should be judged on the time he was in the NFL and what he did in the short amount of time. Bo accomplished much in his football career, much more than some considering the standards in which he played.
You have alot of questions at the begining which will bore the reader. They do lead into your paper, but your opinion on this subject is as i said an opinion. It is hard to argue that someone should be in this hall of fame, when you do not clearly state what qualifies you for the position.
When mentioning a person in your essay, use the last name rather than the first name. Instead of saying, “Bo has not even been considered….,” state that “Jackson has not….”