NFL Draft Pick

Sussex parishioner learns he’s an NFL draft pick during First Communion party

FOOTBALL AND FAITH Nick Boyle with Father Charles Perricone, pastor of St. Monica Parish in Sussex.

SUSSEX  Faith has always been an important part of Nick Boyle’s life on and off the football field. So it was no surprise that the parishioner of St. Monica Parish here got the call from the Baltimore Ravens that they had drafted him in the fifth round of the National Football League draft while the University of Delaware tight end was attending a party for his cousin who had just made her First Holy Communion at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Flanders.

“Getting that call was one of the most exciting moments of my life. My hand holding my phone to my ear was shaking because of all the emotion,” said Boyle, the 171st overall pick. “It was a true blessing and this is an opportunity that leads to the next chapter of my life.”

A passion for football, hardworking, family-oriented and laid-back, describes the 22-year-old Boyle best. His mother, Susan Boyle said, “Nick isn’t this flashy kid with a lot of ‘bling.’ In fact, he would rather watch television on the couch than go out to parties. As the youngest in the family, I still think of him as my baby.”

Active parishioners of St. Monica Parish here and residents of Wantage, the Boyle family has created football fans out of the parish community. Father Charles Perricone, pastor of St. Monica, who baptized and administered First Communion to Boyle, was proud to announce the news that the star athlete was picked by the Ravens at Sunday Masses.

“I know nothing about football, but we now have an NFL player here,” laughed Father Perricone.

Regardless of not knowing anything about the sport, Father Perricone sees Boyle as a role model for other young people. “Nick served as an altar server from fifth grade to his senior year of high school,” he said. “It’s a great connection because kids are able to see someone who was involved in serving God and involved with sports. The Boyles are just that kind of family. They are always a presence at church.”

Boyle, who will wear No. 82 on his Ravens jersey, is grateful that his faith has gotten him this far. “Faith has definitely played a huge role in achieving my goals,” he said. “I know if I work as hard as I can and do everything I can to get better on and off the field, then God has a plan for me. Faith has allowed me to stay calm and focused knowing I have support and guidance from above. Faith has been there for me when I have had my doubts and it has been with me when everything was going well.”

As Boyle finished rookie mini-camp recently in Baltimore, the entire experience was an interesting ride for his family, who have supported his football career since the time he was an eighth-grader playing for the High Point Hawks. He then starred at High Point High School before going on to the University of Delaware.

His father, Harry Boyle said, “We are very proud of him. People would always say to us, your son has a future in pro football. But I always try to be realistic about it and reminded Nick that he had to get his bachelor’s degree. It is important that we keep him grounded through this whole thing. Now, he will be among the best of the best so we look forward to seeing what happens next. I know Nick will continue to simply work hard.”

For the new pro player, hard work added up to receiving a college scholarship, being a starter much of his college career, earning All-American honors and enjoying one of the finest careers ever for a tight end at his university. He also played in the Senior Bowl, an all-star game highlighting the best college football players.

The youngest of four children, Boyle’s older siblings, 28-year-old twin sisters, Lauren and Kate, and 25-year-old brother, Sean, have also been involved in sports during their youth. His father said, “I guess you can say athletics runs in the family. Because we’ve always been so involved with our children and their different sports activities, we never really had time to watch professional sports. We would be at Mass on Sunday with the girls wearing their soccer uniforms and head straight to the field after it.”

As Boyle trains with the Ravens, the 2000 and 2012 Super Bowl champs, the family now has a professional team to root for and plans to make his games, home and away. This also includes extended family members who followed his sports career.

His mother said, “I’m happy he will be in Baltimore, which isn’t too far away — only four hours away by car.”

Susan Boyle, who is a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Monica’s, was also happy Baltimore chose him because the team’s head coach John Harbaugh is a Catholic, whose faith is important to him.

An economics major at the University of Delaware, Boyle also has plans to be a coach in the future.

“The support I have received throughout this whole process has been awesome. I wouldn’t be who or where I am today without my parents. My older siblings have also been there for me since I was a little kid. Lastly, my friends are irreplaceable. As they follow my journey and have been rooting for me from the beginning,” Boyle said.

Like many mothers, Boyle’s mother has always given sound advice to all her children. “There are things that you work for and there are things that God gives you. God gives you your place in the world and your talents. You have to expand on that. When you just don’t know what to do, pray and ask God for guidance,” she said.

Boyle’s advice for young athletes is this: “Whatever sport it may be, if you love it, then you will work your hardest, putting everything you can into it. Improve a little at something in your sport everyday. You don’t have to make leaps and bounds in a day. In fact, that rarely happens. Be a good person and teammate on and off the field. Being successful in sports doesn’t all come from what someone does strictly on the field. It comes in all aspects of life.”