Pride of the Pride: Jaguars honor Hall of Famer Tony Boselli during game against Texans

Emerging from the Jacksonville Jaguars' home tunnel and walking down a golden carpet spread across the grass of TIAA Bank Field, Tony Boselli had the moment he'd been waiting for since February.

The Jaguars honored the Hall of Fame left tackle at halftime of the contest against the Houston Texans, presenting him with his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence, unveiling HOF signage around his name in the Pride of the Jaguars and retiring his No. 71 jersey.

After a presentation by Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Boselli spoke briefly in front of a cheering stadium of fans and onlookers.

More Boselli Stories from our Staff:

• '71': Jaguars documentary on Tony Boselli a fitting tribute to an amazing football life

• Forever Enshrined: Emotional Jaguars legend Tony Boselli feels overwhelmed by honor of entering Hall of Fame

• Canton's calling: Jacksonville Jaguars great Tony Boselli voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

He recalled the moment he walked onto the field for the first time against Green Bay in 1995 and gave special credit to the fans who cheered the Jaguars on from the start.

"This is about the fans,” Boselli said in a press conference after the ceremony. “I know there's several thousand that came up to Canton, but I wanted that moment to celebrate with the fans who supported me and to let them celebrate.”

Boselli has a long list of firsts as a Jaguars. He became the Jaguars’ first-ever draft pick after being selected as the second overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. He was the first player inducted into the Pride in 2006.

And this summer he became the first player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the Jaguars.

“This organization is first class what they did in celebrating me and my family," he said. "From February when this was announced, all the way to this moment. It’s really impressive. Teams don’t do that.”

During his seven-year career, Boselli appeared in 91 games (90 starts) while being selected to five Pro Bowls and named to three All-Pro teams.

He blocked for the all-time leading passer and rusher in franchise history and appeared in six playoff games as a member of the Jaguars. In those games he allowed zero sacks.

Current players joined in with the nearly 100 former players who were on hand to celebrate Boselli as a part of “Legends Weekend."

A lot of his former teammates took part in a full weekend of festivities, including a screening of a documentary about Boselli.

Jaguars alumni enjoy early screening of Tony Boselli documentary, '71'

On Saturday, the Jaguars hosted numerous alumni at the Ritz Theater and Museum for a viewing of “71,” a documentary about Boselli, his legacy, and ups and downs of making it into Canton after 21 years since he last played a snap for the Jaguars.

Among those in attendance included Jaguars legends such as defensive end Tony Brackens, running back James Stewart, wide receiver Jimmy Smith, HOF left tackle Anthony Muñoz and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Porter.

Seeing the documentary for the first time Saturday, Boselli thanked members of the Jaguars organization, including owner Shad Khan, team president Mark Lamping and the production crew that put the documentary together for Boselli, his family, the Jaguars and their alumni and the City of Jacksonville.

"It's been a lot of fun. It's been a great year. The Jags have really made it special,” Boselli told reporters Saturday. “Shad Khan and Mark Lamping and the entire organization really embraced this whole thing with me and my family and have made it extra special."

Though the event was centered around Boselli, his family and the documentary, the HOF left tackle said prior to the screening that he enjoyed seeing his former teammates more than anything.

"I probably enjoy it more when they're not celebrating me; when we're just hanging out," he said. "Last night was a lot of fun, sitting around at Top Golf and telling stories and ... that's my favorite part of this weekend.”

For Smith, who played with Boselli from 1995-01, the documentary on his former teammate was “emotional for everybody in the room,” particularly a moment that included Boselli’s father, Tony Boselli Sr., or “Big Tony.” But, still, there were some lighthearted moments within the film for Smith.

“To see Angi (Tony Boselli’s wife), the funny side of Angi, and the funny side of Tony’s Mom was the highlight for me of the film," Smith said. "All the other stuff I witnessed with Tony because I was there with him.”

Smith and Boselli’s relationship primarily came on the field, when the team was winning, including two AFC Championship Game appearances in the 90s.

“We trusted each other," Smith said. "I knew that when I stepped into the huddle with (Boselli), I knew I had to do my job because I knew this guy (Boselli) was gonna do his job, so I got to be accountable. And that spread throughout the huddle, the offensive side of the ball. It’s sacred and I cherish having played with Tony Boselli.”

Hanging from the Rafters

Though his No. 71 jersey hasn’t been worn since 2002, it’ll never be worn by a Jaguars’ player again. Boselli is the only player to have his jersey retired by Jacksonville.

“It's something different. And it's just, it's cool.” Boselli said on having his jersey officially retired by the team. “I mean, isn't it? Like none of this is the reason you play the game. But when the game you love and you're able to play results in this. That’s what's fun.”

Boselli delivered the first Duval before the matchup started. He engaged a second one after the ceremony that bellowed around the stadium as fans called back the chant to him.

Juston Lewis is a sports reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tony Boselli honored by Jacksonville Jaguars, jersey retired