When you get a call out of the blue from Pete Carroll and John Schneider, well, it’s probably because you’re a damn good football player.

Such was the case for Nate Boyer on Saturday.

The 34-year-old California native and former Army Green Beret staff sergeant was offered a contract to play for the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, according to the NFL.

An incredible story, Boyer didn’t even play a lick of organized football until he was out of the military. After enrolling at the University of Texas, he somehow — some way — made the team and soon thereafter secured regular playing time as a specialist: a long snapper.

Now he’s a pro.

“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.”

A proud veteran, Boyer was deployed multiple times to combat zones in Afghanistan, and was also a member of the Texas Army National Guard.

Check out his highlights in the short video his alma mater made above.