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Hero On and Off the Field

Updated: Monday, September 17 2012, 08:54 AM CDT
He has lived in California, Colorado, North Carolina and now Texas - but that's just in the United States.  Japan, Africa and Israel also among the stops for the player the Longhorns have nicknamed
“America”...but not because of where he's lived.  His nickname stems from how he's lived.

Nate Boyer is a football player that few ever even notice exists.

Boyer is the Texas snapper but prior to just recently he had never even played football. A visit with UT Strength Coach Jeff Madden got the Horns attention ... But Nate still had to prove he was a risk worth taking.
   
That risk played out last week when in front of 101,000 people Boyer made is college football debut.
   
Nate Boyer is an Iraq war veteran that few will ever even know exists. Boyer wanted to go into the military out of high school, but didn't.  As it did for so many, September 11th changed his mind and his life.
       
He earned his opportunity to climb the army's highest ranks, and before he knew it, he was a part of the greatest group in the army - the Special Forces as a Green Beret.  He won't - and can't - talk much about what he saw in Iraq, with good reason.

Boyer won a Bronze Star for his bravery and merit in Iraq - the medal is the 9th highest military award anyone can get.  This fall Texas awarded him with a football scholarship - one of two walk-ons to earn it.
   
He's also earned the respect of his teammates ... And his spot on the field. That answer is now a no-brainer.
   
From Special Forces ... To Special Teams, Nate Boyer's life in the trenches continues.
   
Hero On and Off the Field