Former NFL coach Dick Vermeil speaks during his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Former NFL player Tony Boselli poses with his bust during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Mark Davis, left, and Elaine Anderson, Cliff Branch’s sister, pose with a bust of the former NFL player Cliff Branch during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

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CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Tony Boselli looked out at all the teal-colored jerseys in the crowd and screamed: “Duuuuval!”

Finally, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Boselli, the first pick in Jaguars history after being a threee-time All-American at USC, was among eight members of the Class of 2022 enshrined Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

“I thank God for football and I thank God for the people of Jacksonville,” Boselli said before shouting the fans’ rallying cry, the name of their county.

The Jaguars played the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL preseason opener Thursday night, so No. 71 Boselli jerseys filled the seats.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro left tackle in seven seasons in Jacksonville, Boselli saw his career cut short by injuries. But his dominant performance earned him a gold jacket.

“It’s a profound honor,” Boselli said.

The class inducted Saturday included to others with significant Southern California connections.

Coach Dick Vermeil was an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams from 1969-73 and was head coach a year at UCLA in 1974 before going on to win a Super Bowl as head coach of the …read more

Source:: Los Angeles Daily News