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Tackling Teen Problems In a time when many professional
athletes seem to be motivated by astronomical paychecks and the
celebrity that comes with being a cultural icon, Tony Boselli ’95 is motivated by taking a stand and making a difference.
In five pro seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Boselli has earned a reputation not only as one of the best left tackles in the National Football League but as someone who believes strongly that it’s his duty to give something back to the community.
“He’s just about as solid a human being as you could find in terms of integrity and character,” his agent, Jack Mills, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. “Tony’s very clear about the way he is and what he stands for.”
His heart for service showed soon after the former Trojan star became the first draft pick in Jaguar history in 1995. Boselli and his wife, Angi Aylor ’97, a former USC song girl, developed the Boselli Foundation, which encourages young people to become champions at home, at school and on the playing field. Since then, he has received NFL Charities grants totaling $45,000 for support of his foundation programs, which began with a high school youth mentoring program called Victory Clubs.
His agent calls Tony Boselli “just about as solid a human being as you could find . . . .” |
The clubs have a “mission to empower students to make a difference on their high school campuses by helping them make right choices, by training them to be leaders, peacemakers and bridge-builders,” explains Boselli. They’re structured to discuss values in a way that does not promote a particular religion, a strategy that allows the clubs to enter public schools.
Another popular program he sponsors is called “Shop with a Jock,” in which 100 underprivileged kids get to shop with a professional athlete at Christmas.
HIS OFF-THE-FIELD community work rivals his gridiron accomplishments – quite a feat considering he has made three trips to the Pro Bowl and has twice been named a consensus All-Pro. Boselli’s USC career was no less impressive. He was a first-team All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference choice in both 1994 and ’95.
Boselli began his football career as a freshman quarterback at Fairview (Colo.) High School, but he switched to linebacker and tight end as a sophomore when his coach convinced him that these positions would give him the best chance for playing time.
“Obviously, all kids want to be in the glamour position,” Boselli recalls, “but more than anything, I just wanted to play.”
He still loves the game, but now eagerly acknowledges his passion for service as well. “Being a professional athlete, whether we like it or not, people look up to us,” he says. “I think it’s important that we take advantage of that.”
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