Nate Boyer

Born on January 9, 1981, Nate Boyer’s early life included time in Pleasanton, California, and attendance at Amador Valley High School before transferring to Valley Christian School. After high school graduation in 1999, Boyer initially pursued an acting career in Hollywood. In 2004, he shifted his focus to humanitarian work, serving as a relief worker in Sudan, where he assisted in building camps for refugees affected by the War in Darfur. This experience led him to enlist in the United States Army. Boyer underwent rigorous training at Fort Benning and subsequently became a member of the elite Green Berets (Special Forces). He completed multiple tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan, eventually earning an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant after six years of distinguished service. His military background instilled in him a profound sense of discipline and purpose, shaping his future endeavors.

Following his military service, Boyer embarked on an improbable journey into professional sports. Despite having no prior experience in organized football, he joined the University of Texas Longhorns as a walk-on. After redshirting in 2010 and making a single appearance on kickoff coverage in 2011, he became the team’s starting long snapper in 2012, playing 38 consecutive games. During his college career, he was a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 member (2012-2014) and an Academic All-American in 2012. He was recognized as the 2012–13 Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year, the first recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award, and a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy from 2013-2014. In 2015, he was named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, recognizing academic excellence among college football players. Boyer graduated in May 2013 with a degree in physical culture and sports.

Boyer’s football career continued professionally, signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 after attending Pro Days for both Texas and the San Francisco 49ers. Although his NFL career was brief, including a tackle in his only preseason game, he made a lasting impact off the field. In 2015, he co-founded Merging Vets & Players (MVP) with Fox Sports analyst Jay Glazer, an organization dedicated to supporting military veterans and retired athletes in their transitions. His commitment to aiding fellow veterans and athletes led him to direct his feature film debut, “MVP,” in 2022, inspired by his work with MVP and his experiences with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. Boyer has also engaged in media, appearing in the “Madden NFL 18” video game, the 2018 film “Den of Thieves,” the FX series “Mayans M.C.,” and hosting the Discovery Channel’s “Survive the Raft” in 2023.