April 11, 2009; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Clint Boling (60) after the G-Day Spring Football Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Happy 36th Birthday to Former Georgia Bulldogs Star and Bengals Mainstay Clint Boling, an SEC Standout and NFL Veteran
On May 9, 2025, the Georgia Bulldogs community and NFL fans alike celebrate the 36th birthday of Clint Boling—a name that echoes proudly between the hedges in Athens and resonates with respect in NFL circles. From the moment he first wore the red and black as a freshman in 2007 to his final NFL snap in 2018, Boling carved out a career defined by consistency, versatility, and toughness. Today is a day to reflect not only on the achievements of a remarkable offensive lineman but also on the legacy of leadership and resilience he leaves behind in the sport.
Born on May 9, 1989, in Alpharetta, Georgia, Clint Boling was a standout athlete at Chattahoochee High School. Even as a high schooler, his size, intelligence, and technique hinted at future success. Georgia recognized that early, offering him a scholarship that would soon pay off handsomely for both parties. He arrived in Athens in 2007, and it didn’t take long for the coaching staff to see that they had landed a cornerstone for the offensive front.
From the outset, Boling was thrown into the fire. He started games as a freshman, holding his own against seasoned SEC defensive linemen, and it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just another promising recruit—this was a future anchor of the Bulldogs’ offensive line. Over the next four years, Boling would go on to start 49 games, proving to be one of the most durable and reliable linemen in program history. His consistency was rewarded with All-SEC honors in each of his final three seasons—sophomore, junior, and senior years—a rare feat for any offensive lineman, and a testament to both his talent and work ethic.
Versatility became a hallmark of Boling’s college career. He played multiple positions on the line, including both guard and tackle, and thrived wherever Georgia needed him. This adaptability wasn’t just a nod to his football IQ; it underscored a team-first mentality that coaches raved about and teammates respected. Whether he was paving the way for Knowshon Moreno, protecting Matthew Stafford, or helping Aaron Murray find time to operate, Boling was often the quiet force making it all work.
His impact wasn’t limited to the field. Boling was known for his leadership, setting a tone in the locker room and on the practice field. Coaches described him as a “technician” with a fierce competitiveness and a calming presence. Those qualities, along with his impressive game film, earned him plenty of attention from NFL scouts.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Boling in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and the move proved to be one of the best value picks of that draft class. Boling made his debut in Week 1 of his rookie season and would go on to start 112 games over eight seasons in Cincinnati, almost all at left guard. His steady hand and intelligence helped anchor an offensive line that protected quarterbacks like Andy Dalton and opened lanes for a string of Bengals running backs.
Boling was the kind of lineman who didn’t seek headlines but consistently earned the respect of those in the know. Bengals coaches praised his reliability and toughness. Despite battling injuries throughout his career—most notably a significant shoulder issue—he rarely missed time and always found a way to be available when the team needed him most. That durability became a core part of his identity as a pro, just as it had in college.
Perhaps one of the most underappreciated aspects of Boling’s professional career was his ability to hold his own against some of the NFL’s most dominant interior defenders. In a league where Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackles roam the trenches, Boling’s footwork, technique, and strength made him a formidable opponent. He may not have racked up accolades, but his play spoke volumes to teammates and opponents alike.
In 2015, the Bengals rewarded Boling with a five-year contract extension, further signaling his importance to the organization. He was part of a Bengals team that made the playoffs multiple times during his tenure, and although postseason success eluded them, Boling’s role in helping Cincinnati become a consistent contender during the first half of the 2010s was vital.
His retirement in July of 2019 came as a surprise to some, especially after a solid 2018 campaign, but Boling cited medical concerns related to the aforementioned shoulder injury as the primary reason. It was a bittersweet end to a career defined by quiet excellence. Boling walked away on his own terms, leaving behind a legacy of toughness, professionalism, and consistency.
Off the field, Boling has remained a presence in both Georgia and the Bengals community. He’s been involved in charitable efforts, community outreach, and has served as a mentor to younger players. His reputation as a high-character individual has followed him into retirement, just as it did throughout his playing career.
In Athens, Clint Boling is remembered as a bedrock of Georgia’s offensive line during a time of transition for the program. His tenure spanned the final years of Mark Richt’s most successful run and helped lay the groundwork for the physical, line-of-scrimmage dominance that would later become a trademark of the Bulldogs in the Kirby Smart era. In that way, Boling’s contributions to the culture of Georgia football remain relevant, even now.
His name may never be called in the same breath as Heisman winners or national champions, but ask any Georgia fan who closely watched the 2007–2010 seasons, and they’ll speak glowingly of the big man in the trenches who brought his lunch pail to work every Saturday. He was a technician. A warrior. A Bulldog through and through.
Likewise, in Cincinnati, Boling is remembered fondly as a foundational piece of a playoff-era Bengals offensive line. He may not have had the flash of a skill-position player, but ask Andy Dalton or Giovani Bernard how important Boling was to their success, and you’ll likely hear stories of key blocks, gutsy performances, and unwavering dependability.
On his 36th birthday, it’s worth celebrating not just the milestones or the accolades but the way Clint Boling played the game—with discipline, heart, and a deep respect for his craft. He exemplified what it means to be a lineman: invisible when doing things right, irreplaceable when gone.
As fans reminisce about SEC Saturdays and crisp autumn Sundays in the NFL, they’d do well to remember the man who made a career out of the little things—perfect foot placement, timely communication, clean pulls, and unwavering effort. Those moments don’t always show up on highlight reels, but they win games. Clint Boling lived in those moments.
So here’s to No. 60. Happy birthday, Clint. You earned your stripes in red and black, wore your stripes proudly in orange and black, and left the game better than you found it. Whether between the hedges in Athens or under the lights in Cincinnati, you gave your all every snap, every season.
