Another example was that of a young girl, just a freshman in high school, who seemed to be never healthy. The hospital in the small town was unable to diagnose her properly, so the family went to a bigger hospital, which diagnosed her with a malignant tumor in her lung.
She was then sent to Toronto to get treatment. She was able to recover and graduate high school and wants to become a nurse.
The next story was by Joe Posnanski, who writes for the Kansas City Star. The article was titled "The Legend of Bo."
The story takes a look back at some of the amazing performances that Jackson put on: including a three home-run game against the Yankees, hitting a 450-foot blast off Randy Johnson, a 461-foot blast off Nolan Ryan in Texas, which was the longest home run in Arlington Stadium's history, and even the first home run off Mike Moore which traveled 475 feet.
Another example of Jackson's greatness was when Harold Reynolds thought he could score from first because he was in motion in a 3-3 game in the 10th inning. Darnell Coles was signaling for Reynolds to slide.
As Reynolds went to do a courtesy slide, he realized that it was too late. Catcher Bob Boone had already caught the ball and tagged Reynolds out.
What happened was Jackson got the ball, made a flat-footed throw that traveled 300 feet to Boone on a perfect line to get Reynolds. At the time, no umpire was in position to call the play, but finally home-plate umpire Larry Young called Reynolds out.
Michael Weinreb writes an article on Bo Jackson called "Bo Knows Best." It goes over the myth of Jackson and the reason for Jackson speaking in third person. It was because he stuttered.
He also goes on about the 91-yard touchdown run in his rookie season against the Seahawks where Jackson ran into the tunnel of the Kingdome.
Dan Dierdorf is quoted as saying "Bo might not stop until Tacoma." Jackson finished the game with 221 yards.
Steve Largent stated that"the sound of Bo running past him was like nothing he had heard before.
It also helped create one of the most recognizable catchphrases in Nike History. "Bo Knows!"
This helped steer sports into the modern age of selling the individual instead of the team.
Jim Riswold, who helped create the Bo Knows mantra, states "People like their sports heroes, and Bo was something new. A new shiny toy. That was the best example of how big these things can become."
Yet, Bo Jackson himself isn't about the celebrity status. He says "People that live here see me all the time. I'm quiet. I lay low. I think a lot people get caught up in this celebrity world to where they have to be treated in a certain way, spoken to in a certain way, and they have to carry themselves in a certain way.
"And if they don't get their way, their world turns upside down. With me, I'll stop and help somebody change a car tire."
"The Kick Is Up...A Career Killer" written by Michael Lewis is in regards to NFL kickers and how one defining moment can kill their careers.
Examples that were used were Scott Norwood, Mike Vanderjagt, and Gary Anderson. Each missed crucial field goals and were judged for them.
Lewis also uses Adam Vinatieri as the example of a kicker who has pretty much the same credentials as other kickers including the same or near average of kickers in clutch situations.
Also, Tom Dempsey was used for his 63-yard game-winning field goal. The story ends with a quote that states "You're really nothing but a once-kick kicker."
Paul Solotaroff wrote " Casualties of the NFL;" it goes over the NFL's treatment of retired players due to injuries.
It tells of stories of players playing through broken bones, torn ligaments, etc. Yet, when turning to the NFL for disability assistance, the players are declined. Some players even resorted to suicide.
"Atkins: a Study in Pride and Pain" is a short article written by Rick Telander about Doug Atkins.
George Halas, coach of Atkins, said that "there never was a better defensive end."
The story recollects the many injuries that Atkins went through: a groin pull that tore muscle off the bone leaving a "hole" in his abdomen, big toe injury, broken collarbone, and the leg that snapped at the bottom of a pile."
Another short story this one titled "Hammering on Hank" by Tommy Craggs. The story looks back at how Hank Aaron was looked at during Barry Bonds' chase to break Aaron's record .
Thomas Boswell, a writer for the Washington Post, offers the story of Roger Clemens' fall from grace. The Mitchell report had nine pages concerning Clemens, including Clemens' personal trainer admitting to injecting Clemens.
Boswell states "Even if Clemens is innocent, as his lawyer claims, the damage is done."
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