Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press
CANTON, Ohio — Tony Boselli, the first-ever player drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, became the organization’s first player to be inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio.
A five-time Pro Bowl invitee and a three-time left tackle All-Pro in seven seasons at Jacksonville, Boselli saw his career cut short by injuries.
But his dominating performances still earned him the commemorative gold jacket of a Hall of Fame selection.
“Thank God for football and thank God for the people of Jacksonville,” Boselli said, before yelling “Duuuuval!”, the rallying cry for team fans and the name of their county.
“It’s a great honour,” Boselli said.
Linebacker Sam Mills, defensive back LeRoy Butler, defensive linemen Bryant Young and Richard Seymour, wide receiver Cliff Branch, head coach Dick Vermeil and Art McNally, who has long ruled NFL officiating , joined Boselli in a group of inductees who waited for many years — in some cases decades — to receive the good news.
