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The Journey From Green Beret To Deep Snapper

Updated: Tuesday, September 11 2012, 07:47 PM CDT

The University of Texas football team heading to Mississippi this weekend, but for one player, this trip is just one more stop as he continues his world travels.

Nate Boyer is a football player that few fans will ever notice even exists.  He is Texas’ deep snapper – a far cry from his high school days.  His school didn’t have a team, so he never played.

Boyer visited Texas in 2010 in hopes he could earn a tryout.  After a physically demanding, strenuous workout, the UT coaches saw enough to let him walk-on.

Saturday night against New Mexico, two years after stepping foot on campus, Boyer made his debut as the snapper on field goals and extra points.

“I was probably more nervous in my first snap than I was in Iraq,” jokes Boyer.

That’s right -- Iraq.

Boyer was in southern California in September 2001.  When the United States was attacked, Boyer wanted to fight back.

“From the minute I joined the Army, I wanted to do whatever I could do to get to Iraq.  I wanted to fight for my country,’ Boyer explained.

The now 31-year old Boyer spent time as a staff sergeant in the US Army.  He worked his way up to the highest level in the Special Forces as a Green Beret.  He won’t, and can’t, talk about specifics.

“You learn more about yourself on the battlefield than anywhere.  You fight for the guy next to you, and that’s all that matters.”

From special forces to special teams, Nate Boyer’s life in the trenches continues.

To see the extended interview with Nate Boyer, go to http://www.weareaustin.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/vid_39.shtml?wap=0&.

By Bob Ballou.The Journey From Green Beret To Deep Snapper