Bo Jackson Refused To Sign Deal

The Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the June 22, 1986, Tampa Tribune in Tampa, Florida, where they listed a headline of:

Bucs strike out on Jackson

This refers to the June 21, 1986, announcement by Bo
Jackson, who had recently won the 1985 Heisman Trophy, had rejected a Buccaneers offer of $7 million to sign a 3 year baseball contract with the Kansas City Royals. If you recall our April 29 edition of Football History Headlines, which covered the 1986 NFL Draft, we reported that, according to a story in the Orlando Sentinel, the Bucs took a big chance with their pick of Jackson because Bo had warned team officials he would not play for owner Hugh Culverhouse. Apparently, Culverhouse, the Bucs owner, sent his private jet to pick up the reigning Heisman Trophy winner for a physical and a visit. Jackson was soon ruled ineligible to play baseball for Auburn because Tampa Bay had failed to check on NCAA and SEC rules, despite assuring Jackson otherwise. Jackson held to his word and turned down approximately $7 million with Tampa to play with the MLB’s Kansas City Royals for $1.6 million.

After waiting a year, the Buccaneers lost all rights to Jackson. He became eligible for the 1987 NFL Draft, and the Raiders took a flyer on him in the 7th round of the 87 draft. Bo ended up playing for the Black and Silver."Bo knows" both sports very well, as he is the only athlete in history to be an All-Star in two different professional sports.