Saint Francis University Athletics

Tony Bova played football at Saint Francis, and left at the start of World War II to enlist in the Navy, but was discharged from the military once it was discovered that he was legally blind. He then went on to have a successful career in the NFL and played with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1940s, including stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (in 1943) and Chicago Cardinals (in 1944) when the Steelers merged with those franchises during World War II to form the “Steagles” and “Card-Pitt.”

Bova led the NFL in average gain per completed pass, netting 419 yards in 19 completed aerials, in 1943. He is listed on the NFL honor roll, located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which lists the over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during World War II. Bova received his college degree in 1943.

Saint Francis University is proud to honor Tony Bova with induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on this date, Saturday, February 5, 2011. Accepting this award on Bova’s behalf is Anthony Bova, Jr.