Bo Jackson TRADED to the 49ERS?

In 1986, the 49ers proposed a trade that would've given them Bo Jackson from the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay declined the offer. This is the story behind the trade that almost made Bo Jackson a 49er

[SVW]

Ronnie Harmon paved the way for Thurman Thomas.

[jaywmeinen]

I love the “Bo knows” line at the end!! What a talent! Injury took him away too soon!!!!

[therealuncleowen]

Wow, the Bucs should have accepted that offer. For the sake of Lott's legacy with the Niners, I'm glad they didn't.

[tomsmith]

Thank God for the Niners, this trade would have been disastrous. Lott was the heart and souls of that locker room.

[cscore]

The 1988 49ers playoff run was built on defense. They only allowed 1 offensive touchdown in the 3 playoff games. Lott had 2 INT in the divisional round win over Minnesota.

[Wallyworld]

Ronnie Harmon had a hell of a career he played 12 seasons. He averaged 4.5 YPC over his career and had over 900 yards receiving one season for the Chargers. He just wasn't a workhorse running back.

[stanpoint]

Tampa Bay was stupid to turn that deal down

[christianwootton]

As a lifelong 49er fan I'm glad this didn't happen.

[marcus]

Longtime Bucs fan here. The Bucs' suits in most of the '80s didn't know what the hell they were doing. The way they handled the Bo Jackson situation (I'm not mad at him at all for the stance he took) was deplorable. Also, I have no idea how they don't accept that trade proposal that the 49ers presented them. No wonder I didn't get to see the Bucs in a playoff game on live TV until I was in the 11th grade!

[marlins]

As much as we sometimes resent the highly-paid players and their seeming lack of respect for the cities which draft them, the disrespectful & dishonest way Tampa Bay treated Bo Jackson....I can't blame him for hating Buccaneers' ownership.

[astrostar]

Would have definitely been interesting. Jeff Fuller, would have probably been the replacement for Ronnie Lott if Lott had left. Jeff was a decent player in limited action, but it's unknown how he would have been as a long time starter. If Jeff did take over, perhaps his career isn't cut short by that nasty injury in 1989. As for Bo Jackson, it would have been awesome to watch, and maybe he didn't have a career-ending injury either. As much as I love Craig, the potential for Jackson would have been really exciting.

[Staceyatkinson]

Love these videos, thanks from UK nfl fan

[cscore]

The 1988 49ers playoff run was built on defense. They only allowed 1 offensive touchdown in the 3 playoff games. Lott had 2 INT in the divisional round win over Minnesota.

[chadwickwhite]

YOU can't think of a WORSE draft choice than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafting Bo Jackson in 1987? Did you FORGET about the Baltimore Colts drafting John Elway in 1983 Jaguargator9? No WONDER you are OBSESSED with SPIKING the football into the ground on EVERY single OFFENSIVE

[veggieoilerfan]

If the 49ers would have acquired Bo, would Bill Walsh have actually tried to develop Bo into a pass catching back? Throwing short passes to the running backs was a significant aspect of the 49ers West Coast offense. As it turned out, Bo never did become a significant receiving back. He only averaged 10 catches a season during his 4 year NFL career. Now Roger Craig wasn’t known as a receiver during his college career, as he only had 16 career receptions at Nebraska. Craig ended up being an excellent receiver in the NFL. Since Bill Walsh was able to get Roger Craig to somewhat reinvent himself in the NFL, I always wondered if he would have had similar plans to help Bo develop into more of an all around back.

[therealuncleowen]

Ronnie Harmon was mixed up with gambling and point shaved in the Rose Bowl. They were lucky to avoid getting him.

[maples]

It’s criminal that Craig isn’t in the HOF ! ☹️

[badgerden]

Some owners are too stupid to own an NFL team. Woody and Christopher Johnson can tell you about that.

[Lawomenshoops]

You missed the fact Mike Sherrad was injuried, broke his leg two years in a row.

[misterresister]

For a team that traded out of the first round, the 49ers still did pretty well in the 1986 draft. As this video notes, they got Larry Roberts, a solid d-lineman, in the 2nd round. But they also drafted FB Tom Rathman, DB Tim McKyer, WR John Taylor, OL Steve Wallace, DB Don Griffin, DL Kevin Fagan and, oh yeah, DL Charles Haley. Pretty much laid the foundation for their 87-90 teams that went 58-14 and won two Super Bowls. The 49ers could have made that trade and still would have been an amazing team, even giving up Lott and those two first rounders (incl. Barton)