CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Don Bosseler, an All-American fullback who led Miami to a No. 6 ranking in The Associated Press poll in 1956 and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, has died, his family and the National Football Association Foundation announced Thursday. He was 88 years old.
Bosseler, who played eight years in the NFL, died Wednesday in Atlanta.
“Don Bosseler’s talents helped Miami’s football program rise to national prominence in the 1950s,” National Football Foundation President Archie Manning said in a statement. “An All-American, he epitomized toughness, earning the nickname ‘Bull,’ and his name can still be found in the ‘U’ record books nearly 70 years later.”
Bosseler was a first-round pick by Washington in 1957, selected ninth that year and ran for 3,112 yards and 22 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 1959.
Among those chosen ahead of Bosseler in that 1957 draft: No. 1 pick Paul Hornung and No. 6 pick Jim Brown. Bosseler called them both after the draft to ask why they signed, then got a $10,000 contract with a $500 signing bonus from Washington.
“And in typical Don Bosseler fashion, he came home with that $500 and spent it all with his friends and teammates from the University of Miami in one night,” his son, Greg Bosseler, said Thursday. “I think they had a good time.”
Don Bosseler played high school football in Batavia, New York, near Buffalo, and was heavily recruited. He chose Miami, but almost left after a couple of weeks because he was homesick. He packed his bags and headed to the train station.
His roommate, running back Don Dorshimer, called Miami coach Andy Gustafson with a message. “Bosseler is on the loose,” Dorshimer said. Gustafson ran out of his house, arrived at the train station, found Bosseler and begged him to come back just one more day.
“And the rest is history,” Greg Bosseler said.
The suitcases were unpacked. Bosseler led the team in rushing as a junior and senior, was a first-team AP All-American in 1956, was voted Florida’s outstanding player and was the Senior Bowl MVP. One of his best games was against the Florida Gators in 1956, when he led Miami to a 20-7 victory.
“The Bulldozer from Batavia, New York, rushed for 148 yards – 23 yards more than the entire Gator team – scored two touchdowns, intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, was impregnable on defense and quickly kicked once for 47 yards.” , Fort Lauderdale Sports news editor Joe Kolb wrote that day. “Is that All-America or not?”
Greg Bosseler ended up going to Florida and playing football for the Gators. Don Bosseler respected the decision and father and son laughed about it over the years.
“He wasn’t as talented as my dad,” Greg Bosseler said.
After football, Don Bosseler kept Miami as his home until the last years of his life when he moved to Atlanta. He was a successful stockbroker, inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1970 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. His name is also part of the Hurricanes’ ring of honor.
“After all this time, for people to still recognize the name is certainly a precious gift to all of us right now,” Greg Bosseler said. “My dad was my hero.”
