Bo hit 22,25,32, and 28 hone runs in his first 4 full years in the majors. Oh, and he was playing football at a high level as well.

You don't believe Olympic swimmers are athletes? Or anyone at the top level of their sport?

Why is a football player an athlete but not a swimmer? How about gymnasts?


Someone who trains their body and skills for physical exertion in a competitive event recognized widely as a true sporting activity is an athlete.

Putting Bo in the top 10 athletes is a statement I just can't agree with.....way too many variables....you say what if he didn't get hurt...i saw what if got burnt out etc.....we don't count the guys who were phenomenal who got on drugs etc...ao why count the guy who got hurt...that would like me saying Josh Hamilton is on of the greatest players to ever play...bo had less than 20 touchdowns in the NFL

100% fact. He was a much better football player than he was a baseball player. He was a legit dual sport athlete though. Nothing was given to him in either sport.

He also hit .207, .235, .246, and .256 his first 4 years in pro ball. His career average was .250. His strike out to walk rate was 4-1.

Phelps is a great athelete in his sport, but it is laughable to put him in the same conversation with Bo or Hershel. Same with gymnasts.

Golfers/race car drivers don't belong in the conversation either.

Think of it like this. To me a great athlete is an athlete, not a one sport specialist. Phelps couldnt play another sport at the pro level, neither could Tiger. Jordan tried baseball and was a miserable failure. Bo played pro baseball, and pro football. If he would have wanted to, he could probably have done track & field at an olympic level. With his speed, strength and size, look at all the sports he could have excelled in that he never played; rugby, basketball, track, soccer, etc. He was not just a one sport wonder. He had the body type and natural athletic ability to excel in whatever he tried. That is why I would rate him in the top athletes of all time.

Agree, but how many MLB players could have those numbers and play in the NFL as well? Bryce Harper is hitting 284. after six full years in the MLB.

You are missing my point. He was a very gifted athlete. But, he wasn't a great baseball player.

It's laughable to NOT include phelps in the conversation. Football isn't the apex end all be all sport. How do we know Phelps couldn't have been an all star basketball
Player? We don't know because he is a swimmer. How about we put Bo Jackson in a pool and see what happens?
We have 2 things going on here. American sports bias, and specifically SEC football bias. Folks in Europe would probably argue with you that the top 3 athletes in the world are soccer players. Would bo and Hershel have been good soccer players. Probably not.

Where is the love for Deion Sanders. He may not have been as likable as Bo, but he damn sure was a baller.

Sanders is the only man to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, to hit an MLB home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week, and to have both a reception and an interception in the Super Bowl.

True, Deion was a great football player and was an above average baseball player. He was a better hitter (not for power) than Bo. But, I think Bo had a better arm.

Forgot about Deion...The only difference to me, is that I wanted to watch Bo play both sports. Really didn't care to watch Deion play baseball.

Bo on SEC Network now FYI Bo fans

Yeah, watch Bo go, wait, that is Jelks that it the top back that day.

Jelks was incredibly fun to watch, as was Bobby Humphrey.

Deion is career .263 Bo .250, so Deion has him by only.013 . Bo has 141 HRs to Deion's 39 and 415 RBIs to Deion's 168. Bo had only about 250 more ABs.

Sanders definitely was a primo athlete, too. Knew how to cash in with the Noles boosters and make it in the pros.

What I liked about Sanders was his confidence and how he played heads-up. Read once where when he watched film he would look at the linemen's stances and hands to cheat a half-step or more if they were in pass-block or run-block setups. He said at least one or two always changed stances for run or pass and he could figure it out, determine or guess the play/route, and edge in a little to try to get the advantage. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. That was IMO smart play, though.

Deion was a great defensive back and was lock down on receivers that's for sure. Liked his style of play. I would have hated to try to take a ball away from Hershel or Bo in soccer. Ask the Boz why.

He was one of the greatest of all time. Randy Moss was good, as well.