On December 19, 1990, Los Angeles Raiders running back Bo Jackson is named to the AFC Pro Bowl team as a reserve, becoming the first athlete chosen for all-star games in Major League Baseball and the NFL.
In the late 1980s, Bo Jackson—who won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn in 1985—captivated fans with his athleticism. Fans' fascination with Jackson continued into the next decade.
In the summer of 1989, Jackson was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game. He made his mark in the Midsummer Classic with a towering first-inning home run off National League pitcher Rick Reuschel.
In the fall of 1990, Jackson ran for 698 yards in just 10 games with the Los Angeles Raiders, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Despite playing in so few games, Jackson was selected to his first Pro Bowl.
Jackson's football coach, Art Shell, said the only athlete who could compare with his star running back was Jim Brown, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who also starred in basketball and lacrosse at Syracuse in addition to football.
Despite Jackson's popularity in the sporting world, not everybody was happy about his Pro Bowl selection. Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks, who rushed for 1,004 yards in 1990 and wasn't initially invited to the game, felt snubbed.
"He goes to the Pro Bowl because he makes a couple long runs," Brooks, who also played at Auburn, told reporters. Brooks was later added to the AFC roster for the game.
Jackson fractured his hip in a 1991 NFL playoff game, forcing his eventual retirement from both sports.
