Bo Jackson underwent major hip reconstruction surgery Saturday in an operation that may determine whether he has a future in professional sports, Chicago White Sox officials announced.
Jackson, 29, was operated on by a team of surgeons from Parkview Orthopedic Group consisting of Dr. Robert Daley, a joint specialist and White Sox team physician; Dr. James Boscardin, the team's senior doctor and Jackson's personal physician, Dr. James Andrews.Andrews is a well-known sports medicine expert with the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Birmingham, Ala.
"The operation went smoothly with no complications," the doctors said in a statement. "Bo will be hospitalized for a period of days and we all look forward to his recovery."
Jackson is expected to begin rehabilitation immediately in Chicago, at Health South Rehabilitation in Birmingham, Ala., and on the West Coast.
"I am itching to get started," he said.
Jackson suffered the potentially career-ending injury to his left hip Jan. 13, 1991 when he was tackled while playing in an NFL playoff game for the Los Angeles Raiders against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The injury led the Kansas City Royals to release him early in spring training last season. He was later signed by the White Sox, where he saw limited action while he attempted to rehabilitate.