John Bosa says son Joey Bosa will forge own path in San Diego

11:54 AM ET

SAN DIEGO — John Bosa takes care of all of the periphery issues around his son — the selection of agents, workout spots and financial advisers — letting Joey Bosa focus on football.

Having his father eliminate the noise has been a successful formula for Joey Bosa, the first-round selection by the San Diego Chargers in this year’s draft.

“He’s just really been there every step of the way for me,” Bosa said about his father. “He’s been there making sure I’m keeping my head on straight and knowing what’s important, which is football and my family.

“Just being grateful and thankful every single day for the position I’m in and the opportunity I get — he and my mom [Cheryl] have both been great throughout this process.”

Chargers DE Joey Bosa comes from a family with deep NFL bloodlines. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

But you couldn’t blame John Bosa for wanting to be involved in the teaching of football fundamentals for his son. He’s been down this road before, selected No. 16 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 1987 draft.

Like his son, John Bosa was a defensive end. But his pro career was short-lived — cut short when he shredded his knee in a game against the Chargers in 1988. John Bosa tore up the other knee a year later and his NFL playing days were over.

John Bosa played in three NFL seasons, finishing with seven sacks. So he understands some of the expectations facing his son as a first-round pick entering the NFL. Joey Bosa’s uncle, Eric Kumerow, also was a first-round pick and defensive lineman for the Dolphins, taken No. 16 overall in 1988.

“I think mentally he has my same kind of grind mentality and hard-working mentality, but physically and athletically he was better …

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