Tag: Tony Boselli

Twitter reacts to Tony Boselli’s Hall-of-Fame selection

There was a lot of excitement in the football community Thursday night as Tony Boselli finally was inducted into the Hall-of-Fame.

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally have a player in the Hall-of-Fame.

Of  course, that player is former left tackle Tony Boselli, who the league officially revealed was heading into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Thursday at the NFL Honors Awards.

It was a long wait for Boselli, who was the Jags first-ever draft selection, but after being a finalist the last six seasons, Boselli finally kicked the door down to claim his gold jacket.

Here are some of the many reactions that were posted on Twitter as the football community (especially in Jacksonville) expressed their excitement for the former Jags left tackle:

Sam Mills, LeRoy Butler, Richard Seymour, Cliff Branch, Tony Boselli among 2022 Hall of Fame inductees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2022, with eight new members to be inducted in Canton.

On Thursday night, during the NFL Honors awards show, we found out which players, coaches, and executives would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2022 class.

Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Art McNally, Richard Seymour, Dick Vermeil, and  Bryant Young learned of their election when a Hall of Famer knocked on their door in late January. Those encounters can be seen Saturday when NFL Network airs a one-hour special, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The families of the late Cliff Branch and Sam Mills received the news in a phone call from Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.

“Each member of this great class represents the values of the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Porter said. “We look forward to honoring them in August.”

The annual selection meeting capped a year-round selection process. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list of 18 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Representatives of the accounting firm EY tabulated all votes during the virtual meeting.

The Coach, Contributor and Senior Finalists were voted “yes” or “no” for election at the annual selection meeting and needed at least 80% support from the Committee to be elected. The Modern-Era Finalists were trimmed during the meeting from 15 to 10, then from 10 to five. They, too, had to receive the same 80% positive vote as the Coach, Contributor and Senior Finalists when they were voted “yes” or “no” to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame’s membership, including the newly elected Class of 2022, now stands at 362.

The Class of 2022 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

(Bios courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Tony Boselli named to the 2022 Pro Football Hall-of-Fame class

Former #Jaguars OT Tony Boselli is finally heading to the Hall-of-Fame Duval!

Finally, Tony Boselli’s time has come to get a gold jacket!

During the 11th annual NFL Honors award, it was announced that Boselli was selected into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame class of 2022, ending what has been a long wait after making it to the finalists round the last six seasons. Back in December, it was announced that Boselli would once again be one of 15 finalists, and after trimming down the group of stars by 10 to come up with the latest class, Boselli got the nod with five others.

The following names will join Boselli in the 2022 class:

• DT/DE Richard Seymour
• DT/DE Bryant Young
•LB Sam Mills
• Safety Leroy Butler

• Art McNally (contributor selection)
• Cliff Branch (senior selection)
• Dick Vermeil (coach selection)

Jags owner Shad Khan shared his thoughts on the Jaguars’ official site on Thursday and congratulated Boselli on behalf of the Jags organization.

“Tony’s well-deserved selection for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is long overdue and one of the greatest moments in the history of our franchise,” Khan said. “Tony embraced being a Jaguar from the moment he was drafted and from there fought for Jacksonville as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play the game.

“Tony has also represented the Jaguars with class since the day he arrived. Beyond his exceptional on-field performance, since retirement he has been an integral member of the Jaguars family while calling Jacksonville home for more than 25 years. No one understands, defends, supports or loves the Jaguars and Duval like Tony Boselli. I think I speak for everyone when I say congratulations, Tony. Gold looks good on you.”

Boselli was the Jags’ first-ever draft selection as the team drafted him second overall in the 1995 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California. He remained with the team until 2001 and was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2002 expansion draft, but he never played a down with the organization due to shoulder injuries causing him to retire.

With Boselli’s career only lasting seven seasons, longevity has long been the issue that held him back. However, he was a quality left tackle when he was on the field, earning three All-Pro selections (1997-99) and five Pro Bowl (1996-2000) selections.

Boselli, who currently is a radio analyst for the Jags, played in 90 games and started in 91 for the Jags. And while he’s just now getting into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame, he’s been in the Jags’ Hall-of-Fame entitled the “Pride of the Jaguars” since 2006 and the College Football Hall-of-Fame since 2014.

Former Texans WR Andre Johnson snubbed for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson did not gather enough votes to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson was not good enough to make the cut.

The inaugural member of the Texans Ring of Honor made it as far to be a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022, but he will not be inducted into the hallowed halls in Canton, Ohio, this year.

Making the Hall of Fame this go-around are former Oakland Raiders receiver Cliff Branch, former Green Bay Packers safety Leroy Butler, former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle, Bryant Young, former New Orleans Saints linebacker Sam Mills, former New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour, former St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil, former NFL supervisor of officials Art McNally, and former Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli, who incidentally was selected by the Texans in the 2002 expansion draft, albeit he never played a down for Houston.

Johnson, who played with Houston from 2003-14 and later with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and the Tennessee Titans in 2016, was a three-time All-Pro in his career along with being a seven-time Pro Bowler. The former 2003 first-round pick from Miami led the NFL twice in receptions (2006, 2008) and and held the NFL receiving yards title for two straight seasons (2008-09).

Other snubs included former Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and former Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester.

How to watch as former Jaguars star Tony Boselli learns Hall-of-Fame fate on Thursday night

Boselli has been a finalist for the last five years, and many feel this is finally his year to make it.

Jacksonville may end the day on Thursday with its first Hall-of-Famer in franchise history. For the fifth-straight year, former Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli is among the 10 finalists to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the 2022 class is set to be announced at 9 p.m. EST.

Boselli has been a finalist for five-straight seasons, and many feel that this is the year he will finally get in. He’s had to battle strong first-ballot candidates in recent years, and 10 have been elected in the past four classes.

This year, there’s only one likely first-ballot player in Demarcus Ware, and he’s only competing with one offensive lineman.

Boselli was the first-ever draft pick in franchise history for the Jaguars, going second overall in 1995. He played for the team until 2001, notching five Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro honors in the process, before injuries prematurely ended his career. He played one final season for the expansion Houston Texans in 2002 before calling it quits.

Longevity is certainly working against Boselli, but he’ll hope the patience finally pays off on Thursday night. Here’s how you can watch live as Boselli learns if he’ll finally make it to Canton.

NFL Honors

When: Thursday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m. EST

Where: YouTube Theater (SoFi Entertainment District) – Los Angeles, CA

TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Streaming: fuboTV (try it for free)

Former Jaguars OT Tony Boselli named a finalist for Hall-of-Fame for sixth consecutive year

Tony Boselli is a step closer to football immortality.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli is once again one step away from being placed in the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame.

On Thursday, it was announced that the Jags legend was among the finalists for the 2022 class, marking his sixth consecutive year of doing so. Boselli was able to do so after being named a semifinalist for the seventh consecutive time, and he survived a round where officials had to trim the candidates from 26 former players to 15.

Boselli was the Jags’ first-ever draft selection in 1995 and was taken by former coach Tom Coughlin and Co. with the No. 2 overall pick out of Southern California. He remained with the team to 2001 and had a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2002, though he spent the full season on injured reserve. Eventually, he retired due to shoulder injuries but was inducted into the Pride of the Jags in 2006.

Boselli ended his career as a five-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro from 1997-99. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team, too.

Unfortunately, Jags running back Fred Taylor wasn’t able to advance to the finalist round with Boselli and his potential induction will have to wait at least another season. While with the Jags from 1998-2008, he totaled 11,271 rushing yards and 62 touchdowns, and his career total of 11,695 rushing yards, which is good for the No. 17 spot on the all-time rushing list.

Former Jags Tony Boselli, Fred Taylor advance to 2022 Pro Hall-of-Fame semifinal round

Taylor and Boselli are once again in the semifinalists round together and now must wait until January to see if they will advance to the finalists round for the 2022 HOF class.

The Pro football Hall-of-Fame narrowed their list down to 26 semifinalists for the 2022 class this week and two Jacksonville Jaguars greats were among the group. Those players were running back Fred Taylor and Tony Boselli.

With both advancing, Boselli has now been a semifinalist for seven consecutive seasons, while Taylor has been named one the last three consecutive seasons. Boselli has also been among the finalists the last four seasons.

Boselli was the Jags’ first-ever draft selection during their inaugural season as the team took him with the No. 2 overall selection in the NFL Draft of 1995. He then played for the team until 2001 and was able to become a five-time Pro Bowler (1996-2000) and a three-time All-Pro (1997-99). Ultimately, his career was cut short due to shoulder injuries, which has been a big factor in him not being able to acquire a gold jacket.

Taylor was drafted three seasons later in 1998 and was the Jags’ ninth overall selection out of the University of Florida. Throughout his career (1998-2010), he was one of the top running backs in football and exited his NFL tenure with 11,695 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns throughout 13 seasons. He also was a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro in 2007.

Up next for both former Jags greats will be to advance to the finalists round, which will require 11 more eliminations. To find out the other players who advanced to the semifinalists round with both Taylor and Boselli, click on the link above.

Former Jags Tony Boselli, Fred Taylor, and Jimmy Smith make list of nominees for 2022 Hall of Fame

Three legendary Jags were among the list of 122 modern-era nominees for the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its list of 122 modern-era nominees for the 2022 class, and three notable Jacksonville Jaguars made the cut. Those players were offensive tackle Tony Boselli, running back Fred Taylor, and receiver Jimmy Smith.

Back in January, Boselli made the cut as a finalist for the fifth consecutive time. However, he wasn’t able to make the following cut, which would’ve placed him in the 2021 class. This time around there seems to be a sense of optimism for Boselli, though, as the 2022 group of nominees aren’t as strong as the ones of the past.

Boselli joined the Jags during its inaugural season in 1995 and was the first-ever draft selection for the team (No. 2 overall). He spent six seasons with Jacksonville, but his career was cut short due to shoulder issues.

Despite how his career ended, though, Boselli was a first-team All-Pro during the 1997, 1998, and 1999 seasons. He was also named to the Pro Bowl five times (1996-2000) and was named to the All-Decade Team for the 1990s.

Taylor, on the other hand, was a semifinalist for the last two classes. He was the Jags’ first-round pick of the 1998 draft and is 17th on the NFL’s All-Time rushing list with 11,695 rushing yards (throughout 2,534 carries) to his name. He ended his career with a 4.6 yard per carry average and 66 rushing touchdowns.

Lastly, Smith joined the team as a free agent addition in 1995. He spent 11 seasons with the Jags and finished his career with 862 catches for 12,287 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns. His career receiving figure is good for 24th on the all-time list and first in Jags history.

All three aforementioned players are in the Jags’ version of the Hall of Fame known as the Pride of the Jaguars. However, fans will be hoping to see each player at least take a step from where they were last year in the Pro Football Hall of Fame process but will have to wait until November to see who makes the semifinals.

The full list of 122 players who were nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame can be viewed here.

Chiefs’ Orlando Brown Jr. strives to be compared to NFL’s greats at left tackle

The newest offensive lineman in Kansas City has some hefty aspirations.

The Kansas City Chiefs have acquired a big new left tackle in Orlando Brown Jr. (6-8, 345 pounds) who has even bigger goals with his new team.

Brown Jr. has played three seasons in the NFL so far. Even though the 2020 NFL season was one of his best yet, he knows there’s a lot of room for improvement within his game. He doesn’t want to improve just to impress his new team either. He has aspirations of being recognized among some of the greatest players to ever play the left tackle position.

“A lot better, a lot better,” Brown Jr. told reporters during his introductory press conference. “I can grow a lot as a player and I will grow a lot as a player. There’s so much in my game that I want to continue to develop, to put myself on the highest pedestal and be compared with those great players that played the left tackle position like Jonathan Ogden, like Walter Jones, like Tony Boselli, like Anthony Munoz — Eventually putting myself in that position.”

For anyone keeping score, that’s three Pro Football Hall of Famers and a player deserving of Hall of Fame recognition. Those are some pretty lofty goals for a player that has just 700 total snaps at left tackle during his professional career.

Now that Brown Jr. has secured the opportunity to play left tackle, his goals to get better and be recognized as an all-time great should drive him to success with his new team. He even believes that the Chiefs’ offensive scheme will perhaps help him to better showcase his ability.

“As far as the offensive scheme here, I’ve watched a lot of film on Kansas City just like I’m sure every other NFL team or NFL player has,” Brown Jr. said. “I know a little bit about the system. I look forward to learning a lot more but I’m just excited to be in the system, to have the opportunity to really showcase my talents. They do a lot of different things here than what we did in Baltimore just schematically, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

What he knows for certain is that his best football has yet to be played, and with a team like Kansas City, the sky is the limit.

“I would say I still have a long way to go,” Brown Jr. said. “I would say that I’m not even close to playing my best football right now. I’ll only get better as time goes.”

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Tony Boselli falls short of making 2021 Hall of Fame class

Jacksonville Jaguars legend Tony Boselli will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on day, but unfortunately that date won’t be in 2021. With this year marking his fifth time making it to the finalist tier, he fell short of making the 2021 …

Jacksonville Jaguars legend Tony Boselli will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on day, but unfortunately that date won’t be in 2021. With this year marking his fifth time making it to the finalist tier, he fell short of making the 2021 class.

Boselli was the Jags’ first ever draft selection in 1995 as he was taken second overall during the Jags’ inaugural season. He spent six seasons with the team before having a brief tenure with the Houston Texans.

While Boselli’s career was short (which is the knock against him by voters), he was named a first team All-Pro in his third, fourth, and fifth seasons (1997-99). Boselli was also voted into the Pro Bowl from his second to last seasons with the Jags (1996-2000). As a result of such dominance on the blindside, Boselli was also named to the All-Decade team for the 90s.

Boselli’s absence from the Hall-of-Fame will also leave the Jags absent from it as there are no Jags currently enshrined. That said, maybe 2022 will bring Boselli better luck, as well as Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith, who made the initial list of 130 modern-era nominees, too.

To see the full list of players who made the Hall-of-Fame class of 2021 are as follows: