Whether it’s MJ or LeBron, Tiger, Serena, Brady or Biles, there are scores of athletes who can lay claim to being the GOAT. But when it comes to unicorns - mythical athletes whose abilities defy belief - there are at best a handful. For all who saw him play, Vincent “Bo” Jackson was a unicorn. A threat to score from anywhere on the football field, with elite power and arm strength on the baseball diamond, Jackson is the only person to play both in the NFL’s Pro Bowl and baseball’s All-Star game. But, in the prime of his career during his first postseason game, Jackson suffered an injury that abruptly ended his football career and was the beginning of the end for his baseball career. But what would’ve happened if Jackson had avoided injury? Would the “Bo Knows” phenomenon have eclipsed all other athletes? How much would a talent of his magnitude be worth in free agency? Could he have ended up in Cooperstown? Or Canton? Or both?! And how else would this all disrupt The Matrix? Find out on Alternate Routes.

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The Eli Manning Hall of Fame debate is about to achieve critical mass as Peyton’s little brother headlines the latest class of Canton hopefuls. Manning is one of the most beloved players in Giants history after leading Big Blue to two Super Bowl titles, both against Tom Brady and the Patriots. However, Eli wasn’t drafted by the Giants. Instead he was taken - against his wishes - by the San Diego Chargers and traded to the Giants for Philip Rivers and a pick. But what would’ve happened had Manning agreed to play for the Chargers? Would he have led the long-suffering Chargers to the promised land? Who would the Giants have taken instead with the fourth pick? Where would Rivers have ended up playing? And why does this all affect [Joaquin] Phoenix? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

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“How ‘bout them Cowboys?” In the early 1990s Dallas had a dynasty built by masterminds Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith & Co. won consecutive Super Bowls, but before they could even say “three-peat” Johnson and Jones parted ways, rocking the NFL. The Cowboys managed to win another Super Bowl two years later, but haven’t even gotten past the Divisional Playoffs since. But what would have happened if Jimmy Johnson had stayed with the Cowboys? How many more Super Bowl wins would he have? Which other teams’ Hall of Famers might have worn the star instead? Which Florida legend would go pro to replace the NFL’s all-time winningest coach? And why isn’t there a hair out of place in the entire state of Texas? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.