JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – No one ever accused Bo Jackson of being a shrimp yet, unfortunately, he was unable to throw out the first pitch at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp's home game Friday night.
Two-sport star Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson was supposed to toss out the ceremonial first pitch for the Shrimp's game against the Mississippi Braves, but said he hurt his arm and couldn't throw. So he handed the ball over to his "relief-pitcher," 10-year-old Will Henderson.
Will received warm applause for his throw, but he told News4Jax that his biggest thrill was meeting Jackson.
"I think he's a great athlete," Will said. "He has a lot of skill -- really good at football."
While at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Jackson was able to cook some of his signature dishes, including "shrimp sliders and tuna," for a small group of sports fans. He was promoting his Signature Foods line, which has been served to fans in the suites all season long.
When asked what happened out on the mound, Jackson said, "I don't throw anymore."
"I pulled a muscle lifting the toilet seat this morning," he laughed.
Jackson, who is known for being a former baseball and football player, also shared that his favorite memory of Jacksonville was when he played minor league baseball for the Memphis Chicks and somebody stole the team members' uniforms before the game. He said they had to play in gym shorts and T-shirts, but still crushed the Jacksonville team.
Jackson is the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both the MLB and the NFL. He was also awarded the Heisman Trophy while he was a running back at Auburn University.