TTM Stats
- Sent: 2/26/2022 | Received: 4/19/2022 | 53 Days
- ’90 Pro Set, ’91 Score, ’91 Fleer Ultra
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Jeff Bostic is one of the unsung heroes of the NFL, known for his grit, intelligence, and leadership as the center for Washington’s famed “Hogs” offensive line. His career spanned over a decade and included three Super Bowl championships. Despite being undrafted, Bostic’s resilience and dedication helped shape one of the most formidable offensive lines in NFL history.
Born on September 18, 1958, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jeffrey Lynn Bostic developed a love for football at an early age. His athletic potential was clear by the time he attended Ben L. Smith High School, where he stood out as a talented offensive lineman. After high school, Bostic attended Clemson University, where he played for the Tigers and solidified his reputation as a smart and technically sound lineman. He was a key part of Clemson’s football team from 1977 to 1979, earning All-ACC honors. His toughness and leadership in college laid the foundation for his professional career, even though his path to the NFL would not be traditional.
Despite his success at Clemson, Bostic went undrafted in the 1980 NFL Draft, which was a significant blow to his professional aspirations. However, the Washington Commanders (then the Washington Redskins) saw potential in Bostic and signed him as a free agent in 1980. From there, Bostic would go on to have one of the most successful careers of any undrafted player in NFL history. Bostic became the starting center for Washington by 1981 and would remain in that role for the rest of his career. His intelligence and physicality made him a perfect fit for Washington’s ground-and-pound offensive system, which relied heavily on a dominant running game and strong pass protection.
Bostic’s legacy is forever tied to “The Hogs,” Washington’s offensive line, which became one of the most celebrated units in NFL history. Alongside fellow linemen Joe Jacoby, Russ Grimm, Mark May, and others, Bostic helped form a wall of protection that powered Washington to three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The Hogs were instrumental in Washington’s Super Bowl victories in 1982 (Super Bowl XVII), 1987 (Super Bowl XXII), and 1991 (Super Bowl XXVI). Their ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and protect quarterbacks like Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien was a key reason for Washington’s success during this period. As the center, Bostic was the linchpin of the offensive line, responsible for making line calls and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. His football IQ and leadership were crucial to the cohesion of the Hogs and the effectiveness of the offense.
Bostic’s toughness was well-known, but injuries began to take their toll as his career progressed. He dealt with multiple knee surgeries and other injuries that are common among offensive linemen. Despite the physical challenges, Bostic continued to be a stalwart presence for Washington until his retirement after the 1993 season. Bostic finished his career having played in 177 regular-season games, all with Washington. His legacy is marked by his reliability, leadership, and the championships he helped bring to the nation’s capital.
After retiring from the NFL, Jeff Bostic transitioned into a successful career in broadcasting. He has worked as a football analyst, providing insight and commentary on both college and professional football. His experience as a player, especially as part of one of the NFL’s greatest offensive lines, has made him a respected voice in football circles. Bostic has also been involved in various business ventures and charitable endeavors. He is a co-owner of a construction business with his brother, Joe Bostic, who also had a successful NFL career as a guard for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Bostic brothers remain close, and their shared football legacy is a source of pride for their family.
This is my second successful return from him. To see the first successful return, check out my post from May 2020.
The Score on Jeff Bostic – 7.0
It’s always good to get a signature of one of “The Hogs”. I was never a Redskins fan, in fact I it’s the opposite, but you can’t deny that they had some pretty great teams over the years, especially back in the 80’s and early 90’s. These came out really good too considering how busy a football card image can be and even more an offensive lineman image can be. I think my favorite is the 1990 Pro Set card.
Thanks Mr. Bostic! I’m giving this return a 7 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Pro Football Reference.