‘Just a pure heart.’ Former Raiders coach Tom Flores remembers assistant Sam Boghosian
Fresno native Sam Boghosian, who helped the Raiders to two Super Bowl titles, died Sunday.
He was 88.
Boghosian was known as a “man of many talents” and dedicated to those he met and helped.
Boghosian coached with the Raiders offensive line from 1979-1987. He was Tom Flores’ first hire when the Sanger native became head coach.
Flores remembered Boghosian as a “very disciplined” coach.
“Very strict but with some compassion, and you need that with offensive linemen because they’re big,” Flores said. “I can still remember and close my eyes and see him say ‘Butt down.’ I used to kid him about that.”
The Raiders issued a statement Tuesday evening.
“The Raiders Family is saddened by the passing of Sam Boghosian, who served nine seasons as the Silver and Black’s offensive line coach and was a part of two Super Bowl championship teams. Sam had a passion for coaching and exemplified the motto, ‘Commitment to Excellence.’ The thoughts and prayers of the Raider Nation are with Sam’s wife, Judy, his daughter, Jody, and the entire Boghosian family.”
Boghosian’s daughter, Jody, took to Facebook and described what her dad meant to others.
“Dedicated to cultivating lasting and meaningful connections, Sam lived his life in commitment to excellence and to all those around him that he loved so dearly. It was in his blood to help others and leave an impact on every person he met on his journey.”
Boghhosian starred at Fresno High before playing at UCLA. He won a national championship in 1954 with a Bruins team that finished 9-0.
Bosogian was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
Flores said he’s thankful for the friendship he built with Boghosian and will never forget a moment when his assistant got heated.
“One game, we were playing and he just kept yelling because one of the players missed a block. I said, ‘Sam,’ and he said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘We scored a touchdown.’
“He was a dear friend. Loyal, just a friendship with no strings attached. Just a pure heart.”
Boghosian is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy, and their daughter, Jody Schiltz, son-in-law, Brian, and grandson Braden, his sister Joyce and brothers Marty and Joe. He is preceded by the death of his son, John James Boghosian.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 9:44 PM.
