Bo Jackson/Derrick Henry

[Grumpy13]

I was listening to ESPN radio today and they were talking about Henry being a freak physical specimen. It got me thinking and I am curious how you guys think Bo would have stacked up against Henry if he was able to complete his football career?

In my opinion Bo would have become the standard that every running back would have been judged against.

[RI RAIDER]

Unfortunately, we were robbed of Bo's greatness. Henry could go down as one of the all time greats. If Ravens win the Super Bowl, it will help his legacy (see Saquon).

[SkullCrusher]

Unfortunately, we were robbed of Bo's greatness. Henry could go down as one of the all time greats. If Ravens win the Super Bowl, it will help his legacy (see Saquon).

Henry will go down as a great, he has a solid chance to be a top 5 RB yard wise all time and he's basically assured Top 10 less a career ending injury.

Tim Brown pops up in my mind writing this. I recall after he retired say a little after, nearing Hall eligibility: "Is Tim Brown first ballot worthy?".

At the time of retirement he was #2 behind Rice in many major allt-time WR categories. Who else that is #2 all time even questionable being a first ballot? It took Brown 5 years to get into the Hall. And the cherry on top was the QB's that he had to deal with, where Rice had Montanya and Young. I never got the narrative, he was a first ballot.

[RickRyb]

The best RB when I started watching the NFL was Gale Sayers. I only saw Jim Brown in film highlights. Sayers was kind of like Marcus Allen — great moves - graceful - and fast. The best I have seen for a whole career is clearly Barry Sanders. He was just 5’8” but 200 pounds of greased lightning. We kind of think of his career being shortened by walking away from the game but he played 10 seasons- way longer than the average RB. He averaged 5.0 YPC - for 10 years!
However, I have always thought that if Bo could have played a full career both in terms of not playing baseball and not having the hip injury, he would have clearly ended up being the GOAT. Before the draft in 1986, a veteran scout said Bo was “the biggest fast man and the fastest big man” he had ever seen. The most striking thing I recall about Bo was how tacklers would take an angle on him and just whiff because Bo moved like no one else in football - ever - for his size.

Both Bo and Sanders had eye-popping acceleration. The guy today who has that is Tyreke Hill. But Bo was 6’1” and 230 pounds. Unfucking believable.

I remember listening to the Bears game on the radio when Sayers scored six touchdowns.

[Corleone]

Who remembers this game?

https://www.raiders.com/news/1990-raide ... 31-3476314

Still remember being in awe as an 11 year old getting to witness maybe the two most talented players to ever play the game. Bo was a freak but Barry was a magician. Two incredible players I feel lucky to have seen play in their prime.

[Toast]

Who remembers this game?

https://www.raiders.com/news/1990-raide ... 31-3476314

Still remember being in awe as an 11 year old getting to witness maybe the two most talented players to ever play the game. Bo was a freak but Barry was a magician. Two incredible players I feel lucky to have seen play in their prime.

Yes, Sanders ran on us at will in the first half and then Dave Adolph made some adjustments in the second half to at least contain him. Jay Schroeder did an excellent pitch fake to Bo and then hit Willie Gault for a 68 yard TD pass. I think everyone in the Silverdome and the millions watching on ABC bit on that fake. His very presence in the backfield always had to be accounted for.

Bo Jackson was more than a generational talent he was a once in a lifetime talent. He very possibly could have made the HOF in both the NFL and MLB had his career been allowed to mature. I never saw a running back that could score from any position on the field like Bo could, every carry had home run potential.

The biggest "what if" that I still harbor in regards to the Raiders is what if Shanahan and Alex Gibbs been given the time and personnel implement their zone blocking scheme with the tandem of Bo & Marcus?... That two headed monster would have made history not to mention both of their abilities as receivers.

Maybe better than Csonka and Mercury Morris.

And to keep it real it goes without saying that the Raiders squandered what they had in Marcus and Bo was never utilized to his full extent either when he was on the field which makes his production even more impressive.

5.4 yards per attempt for his career.

[Corleone]

Yes, Sanders ran on us at will in the first half and then Dave Adolph made some adjustments in the second half to at least contain him. Jay Schroeder did an excellent pitch fake to Bo and then hit Willie Gault for a 68 yard TD pass. I think everyone in the Silverdome and the millions watching on ABC bit on that fake. His very presence in the backfield always had to be accounted for.

Bo Jackson was more than a generational talent he was a once in a lifetime talent. He very possibly could have made the HOF in both the NFL and MLB had his career been allowed to mature. I never saw a running back that could score from any position on the field like Bo could, every carry had home run potential.

The biggest "what if" that I still harbor in regards to the Raiders is what if Shanahan and Alex Gibbs been given the time and personnel implement their zone blocking scheme with the tandem of Bo & Marcus?... That two headed monster would have made history not to mention both of their abilities as receivers.

Maybe better than Csonka and Mercury Morris.

And to keep it real it goes without saying that the Raiders squandered what they had in Marcus and Bo was never utilized to his full extent either when he was on the field which makes his production even more impressive.

5.4 yards per attempt for his career.

You're not lying about once in lifetime talent, the proof is that it's been almost 40 years and we haven't seen another like him.

[Toast]

You're not lying about once in lifetime talent, the proof is that it's been almost 40 years and we haven't seen another like him.

Los Angeles was the epicenter of professional sports during the heady days of the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign. Showtime Lakers, Dodgers had just won the World Series and the Raiders were still relevant only 5 seasons removed from winning the Super Bowl. Wayne Gretzky went to the Kings.

I have never seen a professional athlete before or since that captured the world's imagination like Bo did. It wasn't hype either he was that f[raiders_icon]cking good...

Oh yeah, then you had Tecmo Bowl, lol.

[Raidernation1979]

You're not lying about once in lifetime talent, the proof is that it's been almost 40 years and we haven't seen another like him.

I seem to remember Bo throwing somebody out at home from left field or the out field. Way out there. The guy was just an immense physical talent in every aspect.

[Hellbound]

Los Angeles was the epicenter of professional sports during the heady days of the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign. Showtime Lakers, Dodgers had just won the World Series and the Raiders were still relevant only 5 seasons removed from winning the Super Bowl. Wayne Gretzky went to the Kings.

I have never seen a professional athlete before or since that captured the world's imagination like Bo did. It wasn't hype either he was that fcking good...

Oh yeah, then you had Tecmo Bowl, lol.

As much as I want to be a Raider Homer, I'd have to say Michael Jordan beats everyone out for that honor and I don't think it's particularly close. It's insane how globally popular he was

[Attyla]

As much as I want to be a Raider Homer, I'd have to say Michael Jordan beats everyone out for that honor and I don't think it's particularly close. It's insane how globally popular he was

For a brief period of time, we had Jordan, Gretzky, Bo, Borg and Tiger all in their prime. What a f[raiders_icon]cking group.

[RI RAIDER]

For a brief period of time, we had Jordan, Gretzky, Bo, Borg and Tiger all in their prime. What a fcking group.

Magic and the Captain as well.

[Attyla]

Magic and the Captain as well.

ya, and Bird. So many iconic athletes who were not only great but seemingly indestructible.

[Toast]

As much as I want to be a Raider Homer, I'd have to say Michael Jordan beats everyone out for that honor and I don't think it's particularly close. It's insane how globally popular he was

Yeah, you are right. The Air Jordan brand predates Bo and continues to this day. I would say though for a brief period of time Bo rivaled him maybe even surpassed MJ globally. Remember, Bo knows basketball too...

[RI RAIDER]

Yeah, you are right. The Air Jordan brand predates Bo and continues to this day. I would say though for a brief period of time Bo rivaled him maybe even surpassed MJ globally. Remember, Bo knows basketball too...

If Bo had longevity, he would have cashed in more. He did have some BIG years in endorsement $. However, Air Jordan was brilliant and is still making big money with Nike despite not having played in over 2 decades.

[Corleone]

If Bo had longevity, he would have cashed in more. He did have some BIG years in endorsement $. However, Air Jordan was brilliant and is still making big money with Nike despite not having played in over 2 decades.

Jordan is in his own tier without a doubt, but as far as NFL players go, there’s never been a more marketable player. Same goes for MLB, in fact of all the major sports, outside of Air Jordan, there’s never been a bigger marketing campaign than Bo Knows (that I can think of).