Boston College NFL Players: A Legacy of Excellence
Boston College football boasts a rich tradition of producing exceptional players, particularly offensive linemen, who have made significant contributions to the National Football League (NFL). This article explores the distinguished careers of several former Boston College Eagles who have excelled at the professional level, leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Offensive Line Dominance
BC football has a rich tradition of turning out terrific offensive linemen. The college has consistently developed talented offensive linemen who have thrived in the NFL. From dominant centers to powerful guards and tackles, Boston College's offensive line legacy is one of the strongest in college football.
Notable Linemen:
- Anthony Castonzo: Castonzo was a tackle who started a school-record 54 games for BC, while also majoring in biochemistry and earning a Rhodes Scholar nomination.
- Tom Hyland: Hyland, a center, was taken with the 9th overall pick in the draft, the highest ever for a BC lineman.
- Dan Nalen: The center on the 1993 BC team that upset Notre Dame, Nalen had a 14-year NFL career that included 2 Super Bowls, 5 Pro Bowls, and an NFL Lineman of the Year award. Nalen played 14 seasons for the Broncos (1994-2007). He was a member of the Broncos teams that won Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII. He was also a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Chris Snee: A guard, Snee started 141 consecutive games for the Giants under former BC Coach Tom Coughlin. He won 2 Super Bowls and was named to 2 Pro Bowls. 2004 NFL Draft, second round, New York Giants -- Snee has played nine seasons for the Giants (2004-2012). He was a member of the Giants' Super Bowl XLII- and Super Bowl XLVI--winning teams, as well as a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Damien Woody: A center while at BC, Woody played for 12 years and 3 teams in the NFL, winning 2 championships with the Pats.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan: 2008 NFL Draft, first round, Atlanta Falcons -- Ryan has played five seasons for the Falcons (2008-2012), and has been a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Doug Flutie: 1985 NFL Draft, 11th round, Los Angeles Rams -- Flutie never played for the Rams, instead opting to play for the New Jersey Generals in the USFL (1985). Flutie played two seasons for the Chicago Bears (1986-87), four seasons for the New England Patriots (1987-89, 2005), three seasons for the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000) and four seasons for the San Diego Chargers (2001-04). Flutie -- the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner -- was a one-time Pro Bowl selection.
Other Notable Players
- Art Donovan: 1947 NFL Draft, 22nd round, New York Giants -- Donovan never played for the Giants. Instead, he played one season for the Baltimore Colts than merged into the NFL from the AAFC (1950), one season for the New York Yanks (1951), one season for the Dallas Texans (1952) and nine seasons for the Baltimore Colts (1954-1961) -- the modern-era Colts that eventually moved to Indianapolis. Donovan helped the Colts win the 1958 and 1959 NFL championships. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a 1968 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Mike Ruth: 1986 NFL Draft
- Bill Romanowski: 1988 NFL Draft, third round, San Francisco 49ers -- Romanowski played six seasons for the 49ers (1988-19930, two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (1994-95), six seasons for the Denver Broncos (1996-2001) and two seasons for the Oakland Raiders (2002-03). Romanowski won two Super Bowls with the 49ers (Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XXIV), two Super Bowls with the Broncos (Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII) and was on the Raiders team that advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Mark Smerlas: 1979 NFL Draft, second round, Buffalo Bills -- Smerlas played 11 seasons for the Bills (1979-1989), one season for the San Francisco 49ers (1990) and two seasons for the New England Patriots (1991-92). He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Matt Hasselbeck: 1998 NFL Draft, sixth round, Green Bay Packers -- Hasselbeck played two seasons for the Packers (1999-2000), 10 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (2001-10) and two seasons for the Tennessee Titans (2011-12). He was a member of the Seahawks team that advanced to Super Bowl XL, and was also a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Fred Nash: Nash was not drafted. Nash played 15 seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (1982-1996). He was a one-time Pro Bowl selection. (AP Photo/G. G. Newman Lowrance/1994 G.
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