Don Bosseler, Miami Hurricanes All-American fullback in 1950s, dies at 88
Don Bosseler was known as “The Bull.” He had no problem using his size — a stocky, muscular 6-1 and 210-plus pounds — to run over opposing defenders in his way as a fullback during his college days at the University of Miami in the mid-1950s and later during an eight-year career in the NFL.
Bosseler, a Miami Hurricanes All-American, NFL first-round draft pick and College Football Hall of Fame inductee among a slew of other accolades, died Wednesday surrounded by family in Atlanta, his son Greg Bosseler confirmed to the Miami Herald. He was 88.
“Don Bosseler’s talents helped the Miami football program achieve national prominence in the 1950s,” National Football Foundation Chairman Archie Manning said in a release. “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.”
Bosseler, born in Wethersfield, New York, was a four-year starter at fullback for the Hurricanes from 1953 to 1956. He finished his career as a unanimous first-team All-American as a senior after rushing for 723 yards. Miami went 8-1-1 that year and finished as the No. 6 team in the country, its highest ranking until the school won its first of five national championships in 1983.
His 1,642 rushing yards were the second most in Hurricanes history at the time, trailing only Eddie Dunn (1,778 yards from 1936 to 1938). It still ranks 21st in school history nearly 70 years later.
Bosseler was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1970, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the UM Ring of Honor in 1999.
“Candidly, my Dad bled orange and green,” Greg Bosseler wrote in an email. “He loved playing at the ‘U’ and made Miami his home for nearly 60 years.”
Bosseler’s football career continued in the NFL. Washington selected him No. 9 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. Bosseler rushed for 3,112 yards and 22 touchdowns through eight seasons and 96 games for Washington. His rushing yards were the most in Washington franchise history at the time of his retirement and he is still one of just 11 players to have 3,000 career rushing yards with the team.
He was a Pro Bowler in 1959 after rushing for 644 yards and three touchdowns.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 9:33 AM.
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