Tag: Nate Boyer

Nate Boyer: ‘Not unpatriotic’ to kneel before the American flag

Former Seattle Seahawks long snapper and Green Beret Nate Boyer stated that it is not unpatriotic to kneel during the national anthem.

 

Former Seattle Seahawks long snapper and United States Army Green Beret, Nate Boyer, expressed his thoughts about the American flag and its relation to NFL player protests Sunday on Twitter.

In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick initially sat down during the playing of the national anthem before games, Boyer advised him to kneel instead of sit to show respect to the United States military while simultaneously protesting police brutality and racial inequality. He explained his thought process to NPR back in 2018.

“In my opinions and in my experience, kneeling’s never been in our history really seen as a disrespectful act,” Boyer said. “I mean, people kneel when they get knighted. You kneel to propose to your wife, and you take a knee to pray. And soldiers often take a knee in front of a fallen brother’s grave to pay respects. So I thought, if anything, besides standing, that was the most respectful.”

With the protests following George Floyd’s death and several African-American deaths caused by white police officers since then, it would not be surprising to see numerous players kneeling during the national anthem in 2020.

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ICYMI: Former Longhorn Nate Boyer featured in Super Bowl commercial

Texas ex Nate Boyer was featured in a Super Bowl commercial courtesy of YouTube.

Former Texas long snapper Nate Boyer appeared in a Super Bowl commercial courtesy of YouTube.

Ahead of the kickoff for Super Bowl LIV, YouTube took viewers behind the scenes of Boyer’s experience with the Texas football program and how he was able to teach himself to become the starting long snapper.

A former United States Army Green Beret, Boyer served for six years including multiple tours overseas before choosing to walk-on at the University of Texas. Prior to joining the Texas football program, Boyer had never played an organized down of football in his life.

Boyer played for the Longhorns from 2010-14, became the starting long snapper for three of those seasons. After a short stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, Boyer turned his focus to making an impact off the field.