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NFL Draft: Biggest bust from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - CIRCA 1988:Aundray Bruce of the Atlanta Falcons against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1988 in Los Angeles,California on November 20th 1988. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /

Biggest NFL Draft bust from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bo Jackson, RB

Stats: 

  • 2,782 rushing yards
  • 16 touchdowns

There was a ton of hype surrounding Bo Jackson during his college career at Auburn. Not only did he crush defenses on the ground rushing the ball, totaling 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior but he was also one helluva baseball player as well.

Even with Jackson focusing his time on the baseball diamond, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were very much interested in his services. As a warning though, Jackson informed the Buccaneers that choosing him with the first overall pick would be a bad move as he was focused on flourishing in his baseball career. Ever the skeptic, the Buccaneers decided to draft him anyways in 1986.

Hugh Culverhouse, owner of the Buccaneers at the time, was determined to change Jackson’s mind, even if it meant lying directly to his face.

During his final year of college baseball, Culverhouse took Jackson on a private plane to visit the facility. Jackson was hesitant at first as he knew he would become ineligible to complete his final year of college baseball. Culverhouse flat out lied to Jackson by telling him that he cleared things with the NCAA. Once Jackson found out, he took the five-year $7.6 million dollar offer from the Buccaneers and crumpled it up. Instead, he accepted a three year $1.07 million dollar offer from the Kansas City Royals.

Jackson would eventually make his way to the NFL but never played a single snap for the Buccaneers. In hindsight, they weren’t completely upset considering he became one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

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