LOS ANGELES — Tony Boselli, the five-time Pro Bowler who spurred the Jacksonville Jaguars to multiple playoffs appearances in the first few years of the franchise’s existence, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.
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The 49-year-old, an offensive lineman for Jacksonville from 1995 to 2001, was elected in his sixth consecutive time as a finalist for the honor.
“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,” Jaguars Owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “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.
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Boselli grew up in Boulder, Colorado and played football for the Trojans at the University of Southern California.
Boselli was the first player ever selected by Jacksonville in the NFL Draft in 1995 – the second pick in the draft overall that year.
PHOTOS: Tony Boselli through the years
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He went on to become the most durable blocker for quarterback Mark Brunell and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. Boselli was also named an NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1998.
He had a brief stint with the Jaguars’ AFC South rival, the Houston Texans, when he was selected as the first pick in the Texans’ expansion draft in 2002.
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On Oct. 8, 2006, he was the first player inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars and signed a symbolic one-day contract, allowing him to retire officially as a Jaguar.
Boselli, his wife Angi and their five children have made their home in the Jacksonville area. The two started The Boselli Foundation, which provides comprehensive after-school programming for at-risk youth.
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In early 2007, the first Boselli Foundation Youth Life Learning Center was opened on Jacksonville’s Northside on Moncrief Road. In the summer of 2008, a second Northside center was opened off of 21st Street and Buckman Road. According to the Boselli Foundation’s website, the centers are part of a community partnership with the foundation, the City of Jacksonville, private businesses and the faith-based community.
Boselli is expected to travel to Canton, Ohio, this summer to take part in Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
VIDEO: Action Sports Jax talks to Jaguars legend Tony Boselli in 2020
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