Jackson Considers Raiders : Bo Reportedly Is Hoping to Play Both Football, Baseball

Bo Jackson, the Kansas City baseball player whose football rights belong to the Raiders, is trying to make a deal to play with both teams this year, sources said Friday night.

Jackson, a former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn, told the Kansas City Times that he had no plans to leave the Royals completely. But he could play baseball until October, the sources said, and join the Raiders for the last half of the season.

The newspaper reported that Royal owner Avron Fogelman, who is in Toronto trying to talk Jackson out of the idea, said: “Bo is indeed thinking seriously regarding playing half the football season, between the end of the baseball season and the start of spring training.”

Jackson was quoted as saying: “I’m thinking about picking up a new hobby instead of just hunting and fishing. Let’s just leave it at that. I’m a Royal until they tear the uniform off my back.”

Raider owner Al Davis was unvailable for comment. His office said he and his wife were traveling to an unspecified location to celebrate their 33rd anniversary today.

Whether the Raiders would take a part-time Jackson is unknown, but some in the organization have recommended the idea.

Last year, Jackson rejected a multimillion-dollar offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had made the running back their first selection in the 1986 college draft.

Jackson instead signed with Kansas City for three years at $1.066 million.

A clause in Jackson’s contract with the Royals stipulates that he can leave the organization, if he decides to do so by Wednesday. However, he would have to return all money paid him by the Royals.

If Jackson were to make a similar decision on July 15, 1988, he would be eligible to keep half of his earnings from the Royals.

Jackson, 24, is batting .253, with 18 home runs, 45 RBIs, 37 runs scored and 6 stolen bases. He has struck out 112 times.