For a football player, the NFL is the dream. Playing against the best to become the best. In 2018, Xavier High School’s own Tim Boyle ’13 achieved that dream.
Boyle grew up in Middlefield, CT, playing football throughout the entirety of his childhood. At Xavier, he won three straight Class LL State Championships, starting for two of them. With a solid high school career in the rear view, he committed to the CT hometown college, the University of Connecticut.
His two years at UConn were rocky. For the betterment of his career, he switched over to the FCS where he spent his last year of college with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels before declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft. He would go undrafted, later signing with the Packers as a free agent.
The current quarterback, now in his seventh year in the league, recently sat down with me to discuss the moments that shaped his career, the challenges he’s faced, and the people who have influenced him along the way.
A Championship Legacy at Xavier
When I asked about Tim’s most cherished memory from his time at Xavier, he mentioned him winning the state championship as a senior. Although having already won back to back championships as a sophomore and junior, it wasn’t until his senior year where he truly felt ownership of the championship.
“Our senior year, all of us kind of had this pact—hey, we’re going to go do this thing, three-peat as seniors. We wanted to go win the state championship,” he shared. “That’s probably my proudest memory of being at Xavier. It meant a lot to my class, to the coaches, and it will stick with me forever.”
From High School to the Pros: The Influence of Coaches and Teammates
Tim gives a lot of credit of his growth as a quarterback to the coaches and teammates who guided him throughout the complicated roads of high school and college.
“It’s incredible how much impact coaches and players have on the development of a quarterback,” he explained. “Football is a physical game, but mentally and emotionally, it has its ups and downs. Staying as calm, cool, and collected as you can is important, and leaning on your coaches and teammates is critical.”
Having played under multiple coaching staffs at UConn, Boyle was exposed to various leadership and coaching styles that helped shape his understanding of the game. But beyond X’s and O’s, he emphasized the importance of the people and the community around him.
“Football by itself is just football. It takes a whole team, a whole staff—the people make it so important.”
The Jump to the NFL
Transitioning to the NFL is hard for almost anyone entering the potential draft pool. For Boyle it was especially hard. He wasn’t a highly touted prospect coming out of college, but he always believed in his talent. The biggest challenge? Confidence.
“I always knew I was good enough. I had the talent, I had the arm. But in the end, it’s a confidence thing,” he said.
Early in his NFL career, his biggest influence was none other than one of the all time greats in Aaron Rodgers.
“Being in a room with Aaron Rodgers really helped me out because honestly, he’s one of the best to ever do it. He simplified the game for me, which helped ease my nerves. He helped me realize that at the end of the day, it’s just football. I’ve been playing since I was six years old. You’ve got to have confidence in yourself.”
Rewarding Moments
Boyle’s most rewarding experience as an NFL quarterback came when he got the opportunity to start a game for the Detroit Lions.
“As an NFL player, the most rewarding thing was having the trust of an organization to be a starting quarterback,” he said. “It was my fourth year in the league, with the Lions, and Jared Goff went down with an injury, which led me to have the opportunity to start a game. It was a very surreal moment despite the outcome. Just the opportunity to start an NFL game and have that experience under my belt was incredible.”
Beyond the moments on the field, Boyle says it’s the people around him who have made his journey so special.
“I really look back at the people that I’ve been able to be around—that’s what’s made it so fun.”
For Boyle, his story is proof that success doesn’t require a perfect path—just hard work and determination.
“I want people to know that you don’t need a crazy story to make it. I’m from 10 minutes down the road in Middlefield, I came here, put my head down, and worked. It hasn’t always been easy, but I want to be an example for someone with goals of making it that far. If you want it, go and get it.”
Advice to Younger Self
Looking back, Boyle has one piece of advice he wishes he could give to his high school self: be more present.
“There are certain moments of high school that I don’t even remember. I was always worried about the wrong things—whether it was girls, homework, or anything else that took my mind off of what made being at Xavier so special,” he admitted.
While academics and athletics are important, Tim now sees that the real value of Xavier lies in its people and community.
“I just wish I was more present at the school and remembered more of the smaller moments. Sink into the moment, take a breath, and remember.”
Leaving a Legacy
Ultimately, Boyle wants to leave a legacy. Not just on the field, but in life.
“I don’t want to be irrelevant. There are a lot of people coasting through life, and I want to leave a legacy for me and my family,” he said. “At the end of the day, I don’t want to be a nobody in this life. I want to live a legacy and fight for something.”
Boyle remains deeply connected to Xavier and is always willing to give back.
“I love football, I love Xavier, and if anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out on my social media. I’m all love when it comes to Xavier.”