Bo Knows How to Party, Will Host Super Bowl Bash for Troops

Jackson, who starred with the NFL's Raiders and with the Royals, White Sox and Angels in major league baseball, left for Kuwait today to host what is believed to be the largest Super Bowl party ever to take place in the Middle East.

Super Bowl XXXVIII will feature the New England Patriots against the Carolina Panthers, Feb. 1.

"To be honest, I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Super Bowl weekend," Jackson said by phone while waiting for a plane to London, where he'll stop en route to Kuwait.

During his visit, Jackson said, he plans to "see a lot of troops, talk to a lot of troops, laugh with a lot of troops, and hug a lot troops" to show his appreciation for their service.

He said Super Bowl parties are planned at several base camps, where he will personally help prepare and serve food to give soldiers some time off and a chance to "lay their weapons down and enjoy themselves." Jackson said that whatever he and his staff can do to help the soldiers enjoy themselves, "that's what we'll do."

Since early December, the company Jackson co-founded, N'Genuity, has been sending thousands of pounds of food in preparation for the big event. The multi-faceted company specializes in food services and distribution, management and staffing services, and business technology consulting.

Bub Bowen, a spokesperson for N'Genuity, said that by hosting the event, the company's goal was to ensure that service men and women are recognized for the personal sacrifices they're making to build.

Jackson said he wants the troops to know that people in the United States "care about what they are doing, and care about them as people, as soldiers."

Jackson, the first athlete to play in the all-star games of two major sports, said he wants to wish the troops well and express to them his hope that they will have "a safe journey back home." He said he appreciates what the troops are doing "what they must do to make the world a better place."