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'No other choice I could make' Boselli says botched surgery forced his retirementPosted: Friday July 18, 2003 4:10 PMHOUSTON (AP) -- A botched arthroscopic operation on Tony Boselli's left shoulder that should have made him ready to play last summer instead forced him into retirement this week, the former All-Pro tackle told reporters Friday. Boselli, 31, who never played a down for the Houston Texans after being their top pick in last year's expansion draft, addressed the local media for the first time since word of his decision to retire was made public earlier this week. He said he believes the November 2001 surgery by team doctors with his former team, Jacksonville, was the beginning of the end. "I have a lot of questions and concerns about how that was handled because my left shoulder was better before I went into surgery than it ever has been since," said Boselli, adding that treatment and a follow-up procedure by Texans team surgeon Dr. Walter Lowe a year ago has helped, but the shoulder hurts "24 hours a day." Jaguars spokesman Dan Edwards said the comments by Boselli were a surprise to the team. "I don't think it's ever come up [before]," Edwards said Friday. The Texans took Boselli in the 2002 expansion draft in an agreement between the two teams that allowed Houston to take defensive linemen Seth Payne and Gary Walker. Although Boselli made the Pro Bowl five times in the six seasons he productively played for the Jaguars, the team let him go when he didn't return after the 2001 campaign, which was cut short by operations on both shoulders, and also because of his large salary. While Boselli never played for the Texans, Walker reached the Pro Bowl and both he and Payne were consistent contributors who took part in all 16 games last season. Texans general manager Charley Casserly said he believes the deal ultimately will benefit the team despite the $6 million salary cap hit the franchise must endure this season. "In order to get those two [Payne and Walker] you had to take the risk on Boselli. That was the deal," Casserly said. Boselli said he, his wife and four children likely will sell their Houston home and move elsewhere. Though he didn't give specifics, Boselli said life away from football will allow him to devote more time to his Christian faith. Still, the self-described "sports junkie" said it was difficult to leave the game. "But at the same time I realize there was no other choice I could make," Boselli said. "I did everything in my control, the Houston Texans did everything in their control to give me every opportunity." As for whether his short, dominating career in which he allowed just 15 1/2 sacks in seven seasons with the Jags was enough for him to reach the Hall of Fame, Boselli said it wasn't up to him but the media voters who make that decision. |
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