Don Bosseler, a Pro Bowl fullback for Washington who is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, died Thursday per a family announcement. He was 88.
Bosseler rushed for 3,112 yards across eight NFL seasons (1957-64), making his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 1959.
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A four-year starter at fullback for the Miami Hurricanes, Bosseler helped the team achieve an 8-1-1 record and No. 6 ranking in 1956. That year, he was an AP All-American.
Bosseler was inducted into the University of Miami's Sports Hall of Fame in 1970, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He is also included in Miami's "Ring of Honor."
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"Don Bosseler's talents helped the Miami football program achieve national prominence in the 1950s," said National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning. "An All-American, he epitomized toughness, earning the nickname 'Bull,' and you can still find his name in the records books at 'the U' nearly 70 years later. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing, and our thoughts are prayers are with his family and friends."
Selected in the first round of the 1957 Draft by the Washington D.C. franchise formerly known as the Redskins, Bosseler spent his entire eight-year NFL career in Washington.
Nicknamed "Bull," Bosseler gained 1,642 yards rushing in his college career, which at the time ranked second all-time in Miami's history. The Hurricanes' No. 6 national ranking in Bosseler's senior year would be its highest until 1983, a national championship season.
Washington drafted him in the first round in 1957, ninth overall, behind Paul Hornung, Jon Arnett, John Brodie, Ron Kramer, Len Dawson and Jim Brown.
According to the AP, Bosseler called Hornung and Brown after the draft to ask what they signed for, then secured a $10,000 contract with a $500 signing bonus from Washington.
Bosseler scored 22 touchdowns in his NFL career. He was named to Washington's "80 Greatest" list as part of celebrations to honor the team's 80th season in 2012.
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Born in Wethersfield, New York, Bosseler went back to Miami after his NFL career to become a stockbroker, and eventually a vice-president, at Prudential Bache.
According to the Washington Commanders, Bosseler is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marcia, his daughters Loni Perse and Catherine Vale, and his son Greg Bosseler.
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