Touched by Uvalde, Bo Jackson donated to pay for funerals

Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson(WBRC)
Published: Jul. 22, 2022 at 5:18 AM CDT|Updated: Jul. 22, 2022 at 5:58 AM CDT
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Former sports superstar, and Auburn great Bo Jackson helped pay for the funerals of the 19 children and two teachers who were killed in the Uvalde school massacre in May.

Jackson’s rare success in pro football and baseball made him one of the greatest athletes of his generation.

The donation was previously anonymous, but Jackson told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he felt compelled to support the victims’ families after the loss of so many children. He says he felt a personal connection to the city he’s driven through many times.

“I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting old,” said Jackson, a father of three and a grandfather as he nears 60. “It’s just not right for parents to bury their kids. It’s just not right.

“I know every family there probably works their butts off just to do what they do.... The last thing they needed was to shell out thousands of dollars for something that never should have happened.”

GRAPHIC: Investigations into the Uvalde shooting are not done yet. (Source: CNN/City of Uvalde/Texas House Investigative Committee/KSAT/Uvalde CISD)

Jackson said he felt a personal connection to the city he’s driven through many times. Uvalde has been a regular stop for a bite to eat or groceries before a long drive farther west to visit a friend’s ranch on hunting trips.