Tony Sardisco

From Barksdale Blvd. To Boston, Sardisco Made Waves

Some athletes have successful playing careers. Others, like Bossier City's Tony Sardisco, have Hall of Fame careers.

Raised just a drop kick from the gates of Barksdale AFB, Tony had a football career that landed him in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2004. He also earned membership in the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame and has a place in the Loyola Prep Hall of Fame, the Tulane University Hall of Fame, the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame and the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

After an All-State season at Jesuit High (now Loyola College Prep) in 1951, Tony landed a scholarship to Tulane, turning down chances to go to Notre Dame or LSU. He was a four-year starter at linebacker and offensive guard for the Green Wave (1952-55), was an All-Southeastern Conference selection at guard (1954 and 1955) and was one of the few Green Wave players to serve as team captain for two seasons.

He capped his college career as a Look Magazine All America, as a member of the 1955 All-South team and as a participant in the Blue-Gray Classic, where he was voted the outstanding lineman. He also was a member of the College All-Stars who faced the National Football League champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, he opened a professional career that took him to the National Football League (49ers and Washington Redskins), the Canadian Football League (Calgary Stampeders) and the American Football League (Boston Patriots). He was the Patriots' first captain in 1960 and earned UPI AFL All-Pro honors in 1961.

Sardisco later coached for the Buffalo Bills, Temple University and his high school alma mater. In 1985, he opened his own insurance advisory business, but never strayed far from football. He served as president of the North Louisiana chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame and was a staunch supporter of the Independence Bowl until his death in May of 2006.