CANTON, Ohio — Tony Boselli looked out at all the teal-colored jerseys in the crowd and screamed: “Duuuuval!”
Finally, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a player who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Boselli, the Jaguars’ first pick, was one of eight members of the Class of 20202 enshrined Saturday in 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 faced the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night in the NFL preseason opener. The seats were filled with 71 Boselli uniforms.
Boselli, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro left guard in seven seasons in Jacksonville saw his career cut short because of injuries. Boselli was a dominant performer that earned him a golden jacket.
“It’s a profound honor,” Boselli said.
Linebacker Sam Mills, defensive back LeRoy Butler, defensive linemen Bryant Young and Richard Seymour, wide receiver Cliff Branch, coach Dick Vermeil and longtime head of officiating Art McNally joined Boselli in a class of guys who waited several years — some decades — to get the call.
Young gave the most emotional speech when, at 15 years old, he cried out in honor of his son Colby, who died from pediatric Cancer in 2016.
“We assured Colby we would keep his memory alive and we would continue speaking his name,” Young said. “Colby, you live long in our hearts.”
Young was a great defensive tackle in an era full of talented players. He had 89 1/2 sacks, and four Pro Bowl selections during a 14-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Vermeil delivered the longest speech, exceeding the 8-minute limit. The former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs seemed to be grateful for everyone who helped him reach the podium.
He credited players for his success and specifically pointed out fellow Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Isaac Bruce, who were on Vermeil’s “Greatest Show on Turf” Super Bowl championship team in St. Louis.
“Gosh darn, I just wish I had time to go through everyone,” Vermeil said.
Then he did.
Vermeil closed the ceremony. Butler opened the ceremony.
The safety, a four-time All-Pro safety, jumped in with the same enthusiasm that he celebrated big plays at Lambeau Field.
“DJ Khaled said it best: ‘God did,‘” Butler began, referencing the song. “When you play for the Green Bay Packers, a lot of doors open up. More doors open up when you win the Super Bowl. When you’re picked for the Hall of Fame, football heaven opens up. It’s rare company.”
Butler drew cheers from Jaguars fans in attendance to see Boselli’s induction when he mentioned growing up in Jacksonville.
“Thank you, Duval,” Butler said. “My mom, growing up in poverty, she made us think rich every day because it’s not about what you have on or what you have, it’s how you act.”
Butler helped restore Green Bay’s glory days during a 12-year career. His versatility as a safety set the standard for a new wave at the position and earned him a spot on the league’s All-Decade team of the 1990s.
Butler originated the “Lambeau Leap” and had a key sack in Green Bay’s Super Bowl victory over New England. He missed out on becoming the first player in league history with 40 interceptions, 20 sacks and a championship.
Mills, the 5-foot-9 linebacker nicknamed “Field Mouse” during his 12-year career with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, and Branch were inducted posthumously. Mills, an inspiring figure, overcame incredible odds to reach the NFL.
Mills played Division III college football but was not drafted. He was cut by the Cleveland Browns and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and began his professional career with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars. Mills was introduced to New Orleans by Jim Mora (who coached the Stars) in 1986.
“He was told he wasn’t good enough to play college football or big enough to play professional football and at the age of 27, he wasn’t young enough to play in the NFL and yet here we are today celebrating,” said Melanie Mills, Sam’s widow.
Mills was hired as an assistant coach by the Panthers following his retirement. He was diagnosed with intestinal cancer before the 2003 season but kept coaching during his treatment and made what is known as his “Keep pounding” speech on the eve of the club’s Super Bowl matchup with New England at the end of that season.
Mills, who was 45 years old, died in April 2005. His “Keep pounding” remains the Panthers’ tag line.
Branch, who died just over three years at age 71 of natural causes, was one of the best deep threats of his era with some of his biggest performances coming on the game’s biggest stages, helping the Raiders win three Super Bowls.
Branch was a starter in 1974 when he made his first All-Pro team. He also scored 67 touchdowns.
“Clifford was delayed. He was not denied,” said his sister and presenter, Elaine Anderson.
The inductees had to wait for years to be admitted into the Hall, despite not being eligible for the first ballot.
Defensive tackle Richard Seymour didn’t wait too long to taste success in the NFL. In his four first seasons with the New England Patriots, he was part of three Super Bowl champion teams.
Seymour pointed out the defensive stalwarts on those teams but didn’t mention Tom Brady by name.
“We had a young quarterback, but we made it work,” Seymour said, drawing chuckles from the crowd.
Seymour had 571/2 career sacks in 12 season, the first eight in New England, before he finished his career with the Oakland Raiders.
“I’m overwhelmed with humility because it’s not about what this says about me but what it says about we and what we can do together,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude because I didn’t get here alone. None of us could have done it. None of us could have.”
Seymour, 42 years old, choked up and thanked Tanya, his wife.
“Football is what I do, but family is who I am,” he said. “Thank you for everything you added to my life. This day belongs in my family. Scripture teaches your riches are in your family.”
Seymour called his three children his “greatest joy.”
“Of everything I accomplished, there’s no greater honor than being your dad,” he said.
Seymour was kind enough to praise Patriots owner Robert Kraft as well as former Raiders owner Al Davis (and his son Mark Davis).
He credits his success to the lessons Bill Belichick taught him: work hard, be thorough in your preparation, support teammates and respect your rivals.
“This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Coach Belichick,” Seymour said.
McNally gave a speech video after he was elected as a contributor.
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