Thursday Round-Up: The Long-Snapper Diaries of Former Seahawk Nate Boyer

Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, June 16 - about your Seattle Seahawks: The Long-Snapper Diaries Kurt Streeter at Doubletruck, ESPN.com's new home for storytelling, shares a detailed look at the life of Nate Boyer, the former Seahawks long snapper who was with Seattle last offseason. Streeter's piece profiles Boyer's adventures around the world, from his time spent living in a car on the streets of Los Angeles to his relief aid work in Darfur, to serving as a mentor to autistic children and as a Green Beret during the war in Iraq, to long-snapping for the University of Texas, and eventually, for the Seahawks as a 34-year-old rookie in a preseason game last year. Here's an excerpt from Streeter's story on Boyer's unconventional path to the NFL: IN JANUARY 2015, he steps onto athletic trainer and Fox analyst Jay Glazer's doorstep at the Unbreakable Performance Center in Hollywood. "I heard you can turn me into an NFL player," he says. "The guy has gray in his hair, so I'm pretty leery," Glazer recalls. "But then I begin hearing all that he had done for the country -- just a little at first; he won't divulge very easily -- and when I realize who I'm talking to, well, to me the guy is Captain America." He takes Boyer in, offering him a small guest room at his Hollywood house and giving him access to the gym. He talks to his NFL contacts about Boyer. He has some of his friends from the league work out with him. In May, Pete Carroll and the Seahawks sign him as a free agent. "They're big, fast and strong," Boyer says. "I feel small." He sits in a leather seat at a steak house in Bellevue, Washington, not far from the Seahawks' training camp, and orders a thick-cut filet. "To gain weight," he says. His muscles are quick, anxious. He twists his neck until it pops. He can't sit still. ... On Aug. 14, 2015, before the kickoff of the Seahawks' first preseason game against Denver, he stands at attention on Century Link Field in Seattle, listening to "The Star-Spangled Banner." Carroll pumps a fist. Earl Thomas slaps him on the back. In the swirling rain, in front of a sold-out stadium, tears stream down his face. Early in the second half, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson suffers a high-ankle sprain on a third down. Carroll decides to punt. Boyer and punter Jon Ryan jog onto the field. It's still raining. The crowd is loud, but he doesn't hear it. He listens to sounds on the field. Shouting. Cursing. A teammate slaps him on the butt and says, "Don't screw it up." He gets the signal and flings the ball between his legs. Fifteen yards, straight into Ryan's hands. Running down the field ... good God, he feels fast. Sheer joy and adrenaline drive him toward the Broncos' end zone. Denver's Jordan Norwood reaches for the ball but bobbles and drops it. Tristan Wade, a Seahawks teammate, lands on the ball. Boyer runs to the spot and leaps, a human exclamation point in his blue No. 48 jersey. He gets five more snaps, each a bull's-eye. Denver wins 22-20, but Boyer feels good. He's proved he belongs. In the Seahawks' locker room, he showers and puts on jeans and a black T-shirt emblazoned with an American flag and machine guns. Carroll goes over, smiling. "His first play, and the guy is in on a fumble!" he says. "He did just great. He has done everything right. Tonight, it was extraordinary." Tweet Of The DayToday's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Washington Huskies athletics, which shares photos from Wednesday's practice of Seattle coach Pete Carroll and UW's Mary Lou Mulflur, coach of the Huskies women’s golf team that recently won the NCAA national title. More From Around The WebHere at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle highlights what offensive coordiator Darrell Bevell and quarterback Russell Wilson had to say about the Seattle offense being the best its been at this point in the offseason more than any year in recent history. Strong safety Kam Chancellor, who's enjoying a "fantastic offseason" in his own right, was unveiled at No. 32 on NFL Network's countdown of the Top 100 Players of 2016 last night. Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka and receiver Jermaine Kearse got the chance to meet Argentina national team stars Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero during a Copa America match at CenturyLink Field this past Tuesday. Several more Seahawks are expected to be in attendance tonight when the U.S.A. takes on Ecuador in a quarterfinal match. If you're still searching for that perfect gift for Father's Day, image consultant and local stylist Cassie Hackett can help you pick out an item or two from the Seahawks Pro Shop. And in case you missed it, here's 10 Seahawks Father's Day gift ideas that will put a smile on dad's face this Sunday. Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune highlights the offseason humanitarian efforts of Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril. And Nick Patterson at the Everett Herald eyes the Seahawks' open competition at strongside linebacker, the position vacated by Bruce Irvin, who signed with the Oakland Raiders in free agency.

Thursday Round-Up: The Long-Snapper Diaries of Former Seahawk Nate Boyer

A daily link round-up of what's "out there" about the Seattle Seahawks.