For sports fans who grew up in the 80s, it’s impossible to forget Bo Jackson. He was a remarkable force who excelled in track, football, and baseball. He was regarded as a hero by many. Now they have another reason.
As reported by The Associated Press, Bo flew to Texas three days after May 24th’s gruesome murders of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers.
Bo, accompanied by an unknown friend and co-contributor was present to assist Uvalde families in their recovery from Robb Elementary School’s evil.
Per the AP, Bo now reveals “himself as one of the…donors who covered (funeral) costs…”
A grandfather nearing 60, the dad to three says he couldn’t shake such a heartbreaking situation:
“It’s just not right for parents to bury their kids. It’s just not right. … 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.”
Bo presented Gov. Greg Abbott was presented with $170,000. It was an anonymous donation at the time.
“We didn’t want media,” Bo explains. “No one knew we were there.”
Abbott’s office said Jackson’s money was “quickly directed to cover funeral costs” through OneStar, a nonprofit created to further volunteerism and community service in Texas, including Uvalde relief efforts.
Gov. Greg praises the sports superstar:
“The true spirit of our nation is Americans lifting up one another in times of need and hardship. In a truly selfless act, Bo covered all funeral expenses for the victims’ families so they would have one less thing to worry about as they grieved.”
Bo, the day before the massacre tweetedThese are the things:
“America…let’s please stop all the nonsense. Pray for all the victims. Please share your thoughts if you have any. We aren’t supposed to bury our children. I’m praying for all of the families around the country who have lost loved ones to senseless shootings. This cannot continue.”
Asked what he meant by “this cannot continue,” he avoids politics:
“I don’t want to turn this into anything (but) what it is. I was just trying (with the donation) to put a little sunshine in someone’s cloud, a very dark cloud. … The last thing you want to hear is there’s an active shooter in your child’s school. It’s happening everywhere now.”
For any unfamiliar with Mr. Jackson’s place in sports history, here’s Biography.com.
Jackson was recruited by the New York Yankees just before his senior year of high school. He decided to enroll at Auburn University instead.
He won the school’s baseball championship and was a Sugar Bowl champion.
In 1986, he became professional and played professionally for the Kansas City Royals (now the Chicago White Sox) as well the California Angels. During his time in baseball, he was the 1989 All-Star Game MVP, achieved four 20-home-run seasons, and tied the record for most consecutive at-bat home runs with four…
Jackson signed…with the L.A. The Raiders, 1987. He ran a 221 yard rushing record on Monday Night Football in his debut season. Before an injury in 1991, Jackson was out of the game for four more seasons.
Bolstered by a stunning combination of size, strength, speed and agility, the man’s highlight reel is like no other. He didn’t so much evade tacklers as run over them. His ability to catch fly balls above the wall was enough for him to throw somebody out at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv12vY_ZN7M
Back to Uvalde, Bo has an affinity for the town:
Jackson said he felt a personal connection to the city he’s driven through many times. Uvalde has been a regular stop for a bite to eat or groceries before a long drive farther west to visit a friend’s ranch on hunting trips.
It was his familiarity with the feel of Uvalde’s Main Street, leafy town square and the people he’d met on those stops that touched his heart when…news (of the shooting) broke…
Still, he doesn’t know anyone there:
“Uvalde is a town that sticks in your mind. Just the name,” Jackson said. “I don’t know a soul there. It touched me. … It’s the children. … It’s the children. … It’s the children,” Jackson said, pausing before each repetition to gather himself. “If it doesn’t bother you, something’s wrong with you.”
Is there a better title than that? I believe Bo Jackson does. His birthright was athleticism. But compassion for others comes through a man’s searching of his own soul.
This virtue has never been more important in an age of major-league narcissism.
-ALEX
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