JACKSONVILLE – This was the right person at the right time.
Tony Boselli in his first offseason as executive vice president of football operations needed someone to speak to Jaguars rookies about the organization, its history, its importance. It was a key, tone-setting moment.
One former player stood apart from the rest.
"Who better than Fred Taylor to sit in front of our rookies and talk about what it meant to be a pro – but also what it meant to be a Jaguar?" Boselli said.
Boselli, the Jaguars' Hall of Fame left tackle who was hired as EVP in late January, joined senior writer John Oehser for this third episode of the EVPodcast. He discussed multiple issues, including the importance of opening 2025 minicamp practice at the Miller Electric Center to fans this past Saturday.
"At the end of the day, we want our fans engaged," Boselli said. "I want Everbank Stadium filled. Not three quarters. Not two thirds. I don't want to see empty seats. But for us to do that, it's our job to engage the fans and put a product on the field they can be proud of and excited about.
"We are in the entertainment business. We're asking people to spend their hard-earned dollars to come watch us play football and be excited and happy when they do it. We can never forget that. We have a bunch of people in Jacksonville and around the country who are Jaguars fans.
"We want them engaged. We want them in that stadium. To do that, we have to engage them. When we have the opportunity, why wouldn't we open it up?"
Boselli also discussed in detail bringing Jaguars alumni to the MEC in early May to speak to the Jaguars’ 31-player rookie class. That group included Taylor, with other Jaguars legends also eating dinner at the MEC with the rookie class.
"That's a guy with a lot of wisdom," Boselli said of Taylor. "I felt like it was important. I felt like the dinner was important, for them to sit with guys in an intimate setting. I appreciated our alumni coming. They did a great job.
"But most important for me was Fred Taylor – not only to hear his words and feel his presence, but to see an individual who embodies what it means to be a Jaguar."
To listen to the entire EVPodcast 3.0 in full on YouTube and jaguars.com.
