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Jacksonville Jaguars: Tony Boselli Should Be in Hall of Fame

By Tyler Spinnenweber

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On Tuesday, former Jacksonville Jaguars left-tackle Tony Boselli was one of 25 semi-finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2016. Boselli has been eligible before, but this is the first case in which he has been a semi-finalist.

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Boselli was taken in the first round in the 1995 draft out of the University of Southern Cal. The left-tackle was the Jags first ever draft pick. Boselli wound up making the Pro Bowl from 1996-2000, and was a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade team, and an All-Pro selection from 1997-1999.

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Boselli gained popularity after stonewalling and throwing around Bruce Smith, a defensive end and one of the greats at the time, of the Buffalo Bills in the Jaguars first ever playoff game in 1996. Smith was a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2009 and is the NFL’s all-time sack leader.

Boselli was often heralded as the greatest left-tackle of his generation, which included the likes of Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, and Willie Roaf. What’s hampered Boselli’s chances however is that he appeared in only 91 games for a short seven seasons.

Clark Judge of Jaguars.com says the reason for this is simple. Judge says, “Longevity. Boselli didn’t have it, and longevity is keeping too many qualified players out of the Hall of Fame.”

What’s also hurting Boselli is that he played in the small market of Jacksonville and didn’t appear in a Super Bowl.

But Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers made it after only five productive seasons?

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“I understand longevity plays a role,” said Boselli to Judge. “And it plays a greater role depending on whether you’re really good or great. But from my standpoint … and I hate to do this … but when I listen to the draft and hear people say, ‘He’s not Tony Boselli’ or ‘all-decade team’ it seems like a lot of people view me as one of the best to play the position. And if you’re the best at what you do doesn’t that have to mean something?”

Many former greats hold Boselli high up on the premier left-tackle pedestal. Mike DiRocco of ESPN.com says, “NFL.com Elliot Harrison quoted Hall of Famer Walter Jones, who said he aspired to be Boselli when he came into the league.” Jones made nine pro bowl and four 1st team all pros. In addition, Jones made the 2000’s all-decade team. Jones wound up making the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.

Another great has spoken highly of Boselli. Anthony Munoz, another USC product, made 11 Pro Bowls, a nine time first team All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Munoz tweeted this about Boselli…

It shouldn’t matter how long your career was. As in Gale Sayer’s case, if you were the best player at your position then you should be in. Boselli was recognized and looked up to by all-time greats.

Despite all of this, Boselli is still hopeful one day his name will be called.

“What I told myself from the beginning,” said Boselli to Judge, “is that I will never campaign for myself for the Hall of Fame. I played the game. My career was what it was, and it speaks for itself. And my career ended because I was hurt. I don’t think about it except when it comes Hall-of-Fame season, and people start asking me about it. And, truth be told, when I see some of the names it’s a little puzzling I’m not included.”

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“But I tell people all the time that it bothers my wife, my family and my close friend’s way more than me. If one day I get into the Hall of Fame and go to Canton it will be a great honor. But I will be more excited for my wife and kids and family and friends than I will be for myself. Tony Boselli’s life will be just fine if it doesn’t happen.”

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