John Boyett

Nearly three after having his career as a member of the Oregon Ducks football team cut short due to knee injuries, John Boyett is climbing back up the professional ranks. There is interest from the Canadian Football League’s British Columbia Lions. For the first time since shortly after arriving at Oregon, Boyett feels fully healthy. He is looking to get past his demons to get back on the field someday in the NFL.

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Boyett spent his childhood and high school years in Napa, California, attending Napa High School. Although he was always known as a star athlete, Boyett didn’t receive any offers to play college football until his senior year. While at a Nike Football Camp that was being held at Stanford University, coaches from both Oregon and Stanford offered him scholarships. Boyett chose Oregon.

“They (Oregon) seemed to be in the hunt to compete for a championship and were on the rise. They had a very good coaching staff (Bellotti, Aliotti, and Neal) that had been there and I felt would be there throughout my stay.”

Aug 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety John Boyett (20) on the sidelines during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Denver beat Dallas 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

At Oregon, Boyett became known as a force in the secondary as a safety. He rarely missed a tackle, and became known for his big hits. He was as much a bona fide ball hawk, as he was a flying guillotine capable of taking anyone’s head off. Widely regarded as one of the leaders on defense, and for good reason given his relentless and dominating play, the impact of his presence was significant even when he wasn’t 100% healthy.

Being the man of high character that he is, it’s no surprise that Boyett’s favorite coach at Oregon is secondary coach John Neal. It’s not just because of football, though he spent more time with Neal than with any other Oregon coach. It’s because John Neal himself is a distinguished man who has great character who inspires the young men he coaches both on and off the field. Ultimately, Coach Neal did with Boyett what he’s done with so many others, he developed him well enough to send him off to the NFL.

After spending time with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, Boyett began to make changes to help himself get to the next level both on and off the field. “I think with time and different experiences, you gain knowledge, so I would like to think I train smarter now than I used to.”

He made a pledge never to drink alcohol again. “It’s really not good for you anyway, and it really didn’t work well for me,” he said.

He began a rigorous training routine with a close and trusted group of athletes. He also began coaching kids, helping them achieve the same dreams that he had. Boyett is still a fixture at Napa High School, and throughout the community. He is remembered for his hard work and dedication. In fact, he has always been viewed as selfless by his peers, something he credits to his parents.

"I definitely think my unselfishness and wanting to help others is a credit to how my parents raised me. Growing up with a loving brother and sister that I care very much about taught me how to care and help others. It’s a gift and a great feeling to truly care about others and help them achieve something they desire."

Boyett will soon sign with the BC Lions, where former Oregon offensive coordinator and University of California, Berkeley head coach Jeff Tedford is now the head coach. It is a big step in the right direction for Boyett, who says he’s taking it one game at a time and is very appreciative of the opportunity he’s been given: “I love Football, and I know there is a lot of work ahead, but I’m excited to continue chipping away while getting the chance to work with other dedicated and motivated people, and seeing where this all takes me.

Boyett will be driving north to Vancouver on Friday. He will officially join former Oregon teammate Boseko Lokombo on the field May 26.

Never one to wait until the last minute, Boyett is not only packed and ready to go, he’s actually driving up to Vancouver today.

Last season, the Lions made the playoffs for the 18th consecutive year, and the addition of Boyett is sure to beef up their defense in pursuit of a Gray Cup championship.

Boyett is represented by agent Jeff Sperbeck. He also represents former Ducks Terrance Mitchell of the Chicago Bears, and LaMichael James of the Miami Dolphins, as well as former Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks, now with the New Orleans Saints. Sperbeck is also known as a man of great character, skits no surprise that Boyett is one of his clients.

“I’d go to the mat for him,” said Sperbeck

One thing that is clear to those who know John Boyett is that he is as good a man as you’ll meet. Recently, while eating dinner in Napa, Boyett heard screaming coming from people who had stopped a car in an intersection. He worried that there was a baby stuck under the car. Selfless mode on! While everyone else looked and watched from a distance, Boyett ran an NFL style sprint to climb out of his chair and leap a fence to save what he thought was a child in distress. As it turned out, it was a dog, and he didn’t have to climb over the fence and into the road, but it is a perfect example of what kind of person he is: selfless, willing to step up in any situation, a real hero.

Humble as he is, Boyett brushed it off.

“I just heard a loud bump sound, and a lady screaming ‘don’t you move on her’, so I hopped up to look and from the looks (on the faces) of the panicking people, it seemed like it had to be a little girl or baby that ran out into the street and got ran over, and the car was stopped there in the middle of the small intersection so I immediately tried to get help by getting an ambulance,” he said, the energy in his voice matching the adrenaline of the moment.

Former Oregon Ducks Safety John Boyett Has Interest From BC Lions

By Nima Movassaghi | May 22, 2015

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