Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson were teammates at Auburn University in football and later played together on the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Both were outstanding athletes, initially recruited to play football for the Auburn Tigers
Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson. Two names that reverberate through the annals of both college and professional sports, representing a rare breed of athlete whose talents transcended one discipline and reshaped the way we view athleticism and multi-sport success. These two legends of Auburn University and later the Chicago White Sox became more than just teammates—they became icons in the worlds of football and baseball, showcasing talents that still leave fans and analysts alike in awe. Their connection at Auburn University, both as football stars and then later as professional baseball teammates, is a story of extraordinary skill, determination, and undeniable charisma.
The Auburn Tigers football program has been home to many incredible athletes over the years, but few had the raw physical gifts of Thomas and Jackson. Both were recruited to Auburn to play football, and it was there that they began to make their mark on college sports. Yet what truly makes their story stand out isn’t just their time in football or baseball, but the incredible synergy between their two athletic careers, which spanned multiple sports, leagues, and decades.
In the mid-1980s, Auburn University had two young men with rare physical abilities—Frank Thomas, a towering 6’5″, 240-pound football recruit from Columbus, Georgia, and Bo Jackson, a multi-talented athlete from Bessemer, Alabama, who could run a 4.1-second 40-yard dash and had the kind of power that made NFL scouts take notice. Initially, both were brought to Auburn to play football, and both were top-tier recruits who could have made a name for themselves in the NFL. But it was on the football field where their stories began to diverge in intriguing ways, and it’s important to first look at how each player came to Auburn before moving into the intertwining threads of their careers.
Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt” during his Major League Baseball career, was a highly sought-after football recruit coming out of high school. A star in both football and basketball in high school, Thomas had many options when it came to choosing a college. He was heavily recruited by schools across the country, but it was Auburn University that won his commitment. Thomas had initially made a name for himself on the gridiron and was recruited to play as a tight end. His combination of size, strength, and athleticism made him a perfect fit for a college football team looking to dominate in the SEC.
But while Thomas’ football career was promising, it was his talents on the baseball diamond that would ultimately define his legacy. Even before he played a single football game for Auburn, Thomas was already an accomplished baseball player, having played baseball all through high school. His natural ability as a hitter was so obvious that his college coaches encouraged him to play both sports at Auburn, a rarity in the world of collegiate athletics. Thomas was initially hesitant to make the full leap into professional baseball, but he played for Auburn’s baseball team, where he began to turn heads with his incredible power at the plate.
Thomas’ performance on the field, coupled with his impressive physical stature, made him a force to be reckoned with in both sports. However, by his junior year at Auburn, it became increasingly clear that baseball was his true calling. Thomas was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 1989 MLB Draft and soon left Auburn to pursue his professional baseball career.
Bo Jackson, on the other hand, was another once-in-a-generation athlete who could dominate in multiple sports. A standout football player in high school, Jackson had the speed of a running back, the agility of a wide receiver, and the power of a fullback. On top of that, his athleticism was equally impressive on the baseball diamond, where he showcased his remarkable ability to hit home runs and run like the wind. Like Thomas, Jackson was recruited to Auburn for football, and while he had tremendous potential in both sports, it was his dual-sport career at Auburn that truly set him apart.
On the football field, Jackson was a physical marvel. He played running back for the Tigers and made an immediate impact with his combination of size, speed, and ability to break tackles. By the time Jackson left Auburn, he had become one of the most celebrated college football players of his era. He won the 1985 Heisman Trophy, largely due to his record-breaking performances, including a 1,786-yard, 17-touchdown season that propelled Auburn to a Sugar Bowl appearance. But even with such success in college football, Jackson never truly wanted to limit himself to just one sport.
Jackson’s decision to also play baseball was a bold one. Despite playing football at the highest level, Jackson was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1986 MLB Draft, while he was still playing for Auburn’s football team. This dual-sport career, with football in the fall and baseball in the spring, became Jackson’s hallmark. His ability to excel in both was astonishing. In addition to his incredible speed (he famously ran a 4.1-second 40-yard dash) and powerful swing, Jackson became a beloved figure in the world of sports for his larger-than-life persona and his raw athleticism that could dominate in virtually any environment.
Both Thomas and Jackson went on to have incredible careers in professional sports, but it’s their time together on the Chicago White Sox that stands as one of the most iconic partnerships in sports history.
After leaving Auburn, Thomas went on to become a future Hall of Famer in Major League Baseball. As a slugger with the White Sox, he became one of the best hitters of his era, winning two American League MVP awards (1993, 1994) and finishing his career with over 500 home runs. Thomas’ reputation as a feared power hitter made him one of the faces of baseball in the 1990s. But despite his dominance in baseball, there was always an element of what could have been. What if he had pursued football more seriously? What if his size and strength had translated to the NFL? These questions never quite went away, as Thomas’ football potential always lingered in the back of his mind, even as he built his MLB legacy.
Bo Jackson, however, took a much different route. After his phenomenal college football career, Jackson’s professional journey was defined by the rarity of his success in two major leagues. He played for the NFL’s Los Angeles Raiders and the MLB’s Kansas City Royals, making him the only professional athlete to excel in both sports during the same calendar year. Jackson was perhaps the most famous two-sport athlete since Jim Thorpe, though injuries would cut his career short, limiting his NFL and MLB time.
Jackson’s time in the NFL is memorable for his explosive plays. He ran for over 200 yards in a single game for the Raiders, and his athleticism on the football field was breathtaking. But as remarkable as his football career was, Jackson was equally as accomplished in baseball. Playing in Major League Baseball for the Royals, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels, Jackson was known for his massive home runs, his speed on the base paths, and his ability to play with a kind of carefree abandon that endeared him to fans. His home runs are still iconic, including his massive blast in the 1989 MLB All-Star Game, where he made a statement that transcended both sports.
In 1991, Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson found themselves as teammates on the Chicago White Sox. At the time, the White Sox were building a competitive team, and having both of these athletes together was an extraordinary pairing. Fans had been clamoring to see Jackson and Thomas play together for years, and their shared history as college teammates at Auburn only added to the excitement.
While Thomas was already an established MLB star, Jackson was still finding his place in the White Sox lineup after returning from his injury-plagued NFL career. Nevertheless, their presence together in the locker room was electric, as they brought a shared camaraderie that was rooted in their Auburn days. On the field, their relationship was built on mutual respect for one another’s athletic prowess and dedication to being the best. Whether it was Thomas’ consistent hitting or Jackson’s rare ability to display jaw-dropping athleticism, both players fed off of each other’s energy.
Though injuries would eventually shorten Jackson’s baseball career, the short time they spent together was enough to leave a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike. It was rare to see two athletes of such stature, with such diverse talents, on the same team. It was an era that has become an unforgettable chapter in sports history, blending the excitement of two sports and the personalities of two of the most gifted athletes the world has ever seen.
The legacy of Frank Thomas and Bo Jackson extends far beyond their time at Auburn University and their brief time together on the Chicago White Sox. Their athletic careers serve as reminders of what can happen when raw talent is paired with hard work, discipline, and a love for competition. Both athletes remain iconic not just for their sports accomplishments but also for their cultural impact. Thomas’ time in the MLB and Jackson’s legendary dual-sport career cemented their places as two of the greatest athletes in history.
For Auburn University, the success of Thomas and Jackson helped solidify the Tigers as a powerhouse of multi-sport athletes. Their legacy continues to inspire young athletes who dream of competing at the highest level, no matter the sport.
In the end, Thomas and Jackson weren’t just teammates in football or baseball. They were the embodiments of athleticism, perseverance, and excellence—showing the world that being great at one sport might not be enough when you have the ability to dominate two.
