In the sports field where specialization is the norm, Vincent Bo Jackson stood out as the epitome of a two-sport star. Splitting his time between the Las Vegas Raiders and the MLB’s Kansas City Royals, Jackson achieved success in both football and baseball.
Although his playing days on the field are long behind him, amid the excitement of Super Bowl LVIII the former athlete recently scored a legal victory, akin to the thrill of winning a game in his heyday.
Bo Jackson receives $21 million after extortion case win
Bo Jackson secured a $21 million verdict in a civil case against his niece and nephew for attempted extortion. The legal battle started after Jackson accused Thomas Lee Anderson and Erica M. Anderson Ross of escalating harassment, including threats through social media, public allegations, and the potential disclosure of his private information.
The 61-year-old athlete filed the lawsuit in April, asserting that the Andersons sought to extort $20 million from him through intimidation. He was in fear for his safety and that of his immediate family. It let him pursue legal action to address the alleged harassment.
The case also came up with claims that the relatives not only harassed Jackson through online platforms but also threatened to disrupt events near his home, such as a restaurant visit and a charity event he hosted in Auburn.
On February 2, the judgment was made, including a permanent protective order to protect Jackson and his family from further threats.
In response to the verdict, Jackson’s attorneys, Robert Ingram and David Conley, emphasized Jackson’s resilience in standing up against the extortion attempt on Monday in a news release about the case.
“Unfortunately for those attempting to extort $20 million dollars from Jackson and his family, Bo still hits back hard,” Robert Ingram and David Conley said, per NBC News.
In addition to the extortion claim, the former player pursued a civil conspiracy charge against the siblings. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt ruled in favor of Jackson, stating that the Andersons and their legal representatives failed to counter Jackson’s allegations effectively.
Looking back at Bo Jackson’s NFL career
After a successful college career, Bo Jackson started his NFL career with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987. He was with the team throughout his NFL career till 1990.
In his debut season, Jackson made an immediate impact, appearing in seven games and amassing 554 rushing yards on just 81 attempts, averaging a staggering 6.8 yards per carry.
The following year, he continued to dazzle fans with his exceptional talent, rushing for 580 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
In 1989, Jackson enjoyed his most productive season in the NFL, rushing for a career-high 950 yards on 173 carries, averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per attempt. He also recorded four rushing touchdowns and contributed nine receptions for 69 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.
After playing in 10 games in 1990, he sustained a hip injury that ended his football career. In his last season, he accumulated 698 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 125 carries, maintaining an outstanding average of 5.6 yards per rush.
Despite the brevity of his career, the legacy of Bo Jackson will forever remain etched in the hearts and minds of Raiders fans.
