Two of the greatest dual-sport athletes in history, Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, stepped into the batter’s box 35 years ago today at Yankee Stadium. What happened next became the stuff of legend, a showcase of pure athleticism that fans are still talking about decades later.
What Made the Bo Jackson vs. Deion Sanders Matchup So Special?
Before Sanders became the Colorado Buffaloes head coach, he was a star in both the NFL and MLB. It’s rare for an athlete to compete at a high level in two professional sports, but Sanders did exactly that.
Another elite athlete who played both the NFL and MLB at the same time was Jackson. Jackson was the Heisman Trophy-winning running back at Auburn, and he and Sanders faced off in MLB 35 years ago today.
Sanders and Jackson were both tremendous athletes who defied conventional wisdom about specialization. Sanders played football and baseball at Florida State and was drafted No. 5 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1989 NFL Draft and the 30th round of the 1988 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.
Meanwhile, Jackson played both sports at Auburn, where he won the 1985 Heisman Trophy. He was drafted No. 1 overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but chose not to sign with them in order to pursue baseball. The Kansas City Royals took Jackson in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft.
Jackson was redrafted into the NFL in the seventh round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Raiders, where he played four seasons.
How Did Their Epic 1990 Showdown Unfold?
Sanders and Jackson are two of the only athletes to ever play in the MLB and NFL simultaneously, and 35 years ago today, they met on the diamond in an epic matchup.
OTD in 1990, two-sport icons Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders faced off in a memorable matchup at Yankee Stadium.
Jackson hit three home runs, while Sanders showcased his speed with an inside-the-park homer. pic.twitter.com/wOPpv5nznQ
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 17, 2025
Jackson put on an absolute show that day, hitting three home runs in the game. One of those blasts flew right over Sanders’ head, a moment that perfectly captured the power versus speed dynamic between these two legends.
But Sanders wasn’t about to be outdone. Primetime answered with an inside-the-park home run, using his blazing speed to circle the bases after Jackson misplayed a line drive to center field and show why he was such a dangerous weapon on the diamond.
Jackson and Sanders showed just how elite these athletes were at Yankee Stadium that day.
What Happened After Their Playing Days Ended?
Both athletes eventually had to choose between their two sports as the physical demands became too much. Jackson stopped playing football after four seasons (1990) with the Raiders due to a hip injury but continued in MLB until the end of the 1994 season.
Sanders played in MLB for nine total seasons, leaving the Cincinnati Reds in 1997 but returning for one more go-around in 2001. As for the NFL, he played for 14 total seasons, going until 2005.
After his playing career ended, Jackson transitioned into the business world and now owns a food distribution company called N’Genuity.
Sanders has remained a prominent figure in football, though he’s moved into college coaching. He led Jackson State, an FCS program, from 2020 to 2022 and has been the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes since 2023.
Both of these guys are legendary, and it’s wild to think that just 35 years ago they dueled it out on the MLB field in an epic matchup that fans are still celebrating today.
