Nate Boyer has been an inspiration to so many in the military community since his mission to become a full-time player in the National Football League (NFL) captured the hearts of the American public a few years ago.

In May he achieved this incredible feat, and completed the rare, extraordinary circle: once a United States Army Green Beret staff sergeant and combat veteran, now a professional long snapper for the Seattle Seahawks — who just so happen to be the defending NFC champions.

This is what he had to say to a league reporter (as covered by our blog a few months back) when he was signed as an undrafted free agent after graduating from the University of Texas, where he played his college ball:

“Yeah, I’ve done things that are more difficult,” Boyer told NFL Network’s NFL Total Access on Saturday. “You can’t really compare the two in a lot of ways, but this is a huge challenge in itself. This is the best athletes in the world. Just to get an opportunity and be able to compete… And I’m playing for a great team in a great city. I couldn’t be anymore thrilled. Just for the chance that’s all you can ask for.”

As you may be aware, NFL training camps are underway this week, and so is Boyer’s journey once again. Thankfully, the Seahawks caught up with the proud veteran and put together this stirring piece about the man who first enlisted at the age of 24 after assisting the people in the war torn country of Sudan.

“I kind of gained my patriotism over there,” says Boyer, who soon after decided he wanted to join the elite ranks of Special Forces. “The motto is ‘de oppresso liber’ which means ‘free the oppressed’ and so it was right up my alley, because that’s what I wanted to do.”