Bo Jackson was a legendary player at Auburn and then translated that talent to the pros, being one of the best players in both the NFL and MLB. Although his talent on the field was almost superhuman, Jackson also seems to have a softer more charitable side.
It was announced this week during an interview with the AP that the former Heisman Trophy winner has helped pay for the expenses of 21 shooting victims in the Uvalde school shooting tragedy -- despite having no connection with the state.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting old. It’s just not right for parents to bury their kids. It’s just not right,” he told The Associated Press.
“I know every family there probably works their butts off just to do what they do … The last thing they needed was to shell out thousands of dollars for something that never should have happened.”
According to Jackson, he and a friend flew down to Uvalde, first meeting with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and then footing $170,000 to help cover some of the funeral expenses.
The governor kept the news secret until Jackson himself officially made an announcement after originally wanting no media fare from his generous action -- despite claiming he wasn't trying to be secretive.
"We didn’t want media. No one knew we were there … Uvalde is just a town that sticks in your mind. Just the name. I don’t know a soul there. It just touched me.”
The tragic shooting that took place in May proved to be the deadliest of its kind since the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT back in 2012.
Jackson was a rare athlete during his heyday. He was an All-Star with the Kansas City Chiefs while also being named a Pro Bowler with the Raiders. He struck a chord with many young Americans in the 80s and 90s, from his memorable "Bo Knows Best" commercials with Nike, to his amazing feats on the field.
"I don’t want to turn this into anything [but] what it is,” Jackson said. “I was just trying [with the donation] to put a little sunshine in someone’s cloud, a very dark cloud … It’s the children. It’s the children. It’s the children."
“If it doesn’t bother you, something’s wrong with you.”
Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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