ESPN is airing a series of tributes to Martin Luther King, Jr. today, and Alabama natives Bo Jackson and Henry “Hank” Aaron appear in one of them discussing the impact MLK had on their lives.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed,” Jackson said, quoting MLK’s famous words. “As we say in the south, Dr. King gave black folk hope.”

Aaron said that King’s words had, and continue to have, a profound impact on his life.

“The impression that it had on me is everything,” Aaron said. “When he said ‘free at last, free at last, thank God almighty (we are) free at last,” and being judged by the content of my character and not by the color of my skin — those things stuck with me and still (do), for all time.”

[RELATED: Top 7 Quotes from MLK’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech]

Bo Jackson was born in Bessemer, Ala. and went on to win the Heisman Trophy at Auburn University and star in the NFL and MLB. ESPN named him the “Greatest Athlete of All Time” last year.

Henry “Hank” Aaron was born in Mobile, Ala. and went on the be the greatest homerun hitter in the history of Major League Baseball.

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