September 6, 2022 • 34 mins
On the Season 2 premiere, Kristina Boyle, wife of Ravens tight end Nick Boyle, talks about the struggles NFL couples deal with during rehab, their small town love story, her background as a pediatric nurse, their dedication to serving the community, and much more.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
What is up, Ravens fans. I am so excited to
be back with you for season two of the Purple
Chair Podcast. If you're just joining us, make sure you
check out season one as I talked with some incredible
women including Ravens, Twitter legend, Lacy DaCosta, the Harballs, NFL agents,
and so many more. The Purple Chair Podcast is where
(00:28):
we amplify women in and around the game. This season,
I'm also going to take you inside my role with
the Ravens and what's happening inside the walls of the
Castle every week, so stay tuned for that at the
end of each episode. This week, I'm so excited to
welcome Christina Boyle, wife of Nick, to the Purple Chair Podcast.
(00:49):
So we're just gonna dive right into y'all story. So
how did you and Nick originally meet? So? Nick and
I actually grew up like fifteen minutes away from each other. Um,
we did not go to the same high school, but
we're from the middle of nowhere, so four towns go
to one high school and there's still like two hundred
people graduating. Um, so it's funny. We have a bunch
of mutual friends that he could have asked my number
(01:09):
for funny d MS me on Instagram. Oh my god. Yep.
I was home from college on Christmas break and he
was home for Christmas and he said, hey there, and
I was like, he couldn't have asked one of our
million mutual friends from my number. He had a d
M me on Instagram, so yeah, he d M me
Hey there, and we hung out every day since until
I had to go back to college and the rest
is history. Hey there, that was his opening line, and
(01:32):
it worked. It worked, so sliding in the d MS
does really work. Even back that's pre early Instagram was
just like becoming a thing. I feel like, So, did
you guys kind of know of each other at that point? Yeah,
we definitely knew who each other was. But he always
had a girlfriend. He always says I was too cool
for him, but he really always had a girlfriend. And yeah,
(01:52):
that's so funny. So we were in college ware at
that point, so I went to University Rhode Island. He
had already graduated Delaware UM, so he was living in Baltimore.
So I would take the flight from Providence, Rhode Island
to Baltimore to see him. For the last semester of college,
and um, yeah, that I moved here. I was like, hey,
are we really going to do this? Are we going
to do this? Because I'm either going to get a
(02:12):
job home or I'm going to move to Baltimore? And
he was like, no, move to Baltimore. So moved to Baltimore.
I got a job. I'm a pediatric psych nurse. I
got a job here. And here we are. So you
were your first semester senior, then that business break and
then you guys, so you basically did long distance first
semester and then moved here. So he had already been
drafted by the Ravens. So what was that time like,
(02:32):
As he's kind of figuring out his career, you're figuring
out yours moving to Baltimore place. You probably haven't spent
that much time outside of coming to see him, right, No,
I've never been here before. So um it was interesting. He,
you know, like you said, was trying to get his
feet wet and football and I was trying to find
a job, which was not easy coming out of college. Um,
(02:54):
but it was fun. I mean I moved into his
bachelor pad apartment and I was like, WHOA gets a
hobby lobby sad because this place is not gonna work
for me. Um. I did get a dog like three
months in because I was so lonely. He was gone
a lot and working out and I had no friends here.
I'm like, how do you meet friends? I don't know.
So yeah, we got a dog like three months after
we started dating. And yeah, that's what a low key
(03:16):
tricky things about being an adult that people don't talk
about enough. It's like making friends when you moved to
a new city, especially when you're like following as into
an other kind of has their life established. You're trying
to figure all that out. Get a job. So I
would imagine that being starting as a nurse in Baltimore
had to been a little intense. So tell me about
that process. Yeah, so it was definitely intense. I knew
I wanted to do psych, but I applied for everything.
(03:38):
I wanted anything pediatric, So I applied for everything, and
I got offered this job at Shepherd Pratt and I
loved it. I loved working there. I worked with kids, Um,
they were like three to twelve, and you saw some
stuff that I never even knew existed, especially being close
to a city. Um. Yeah, like I said, we were
from the middle of nowhere, so it really opened my
(03:59):
eyes to seeing some scary stuff. But I loved that job.
I miss it. Actually. When you say, like being a
psych nurse for pediatric what does that mean? So that
ranges from anything from like PTSD UM reactive detachment disorder.
You know, they are left not being taken care of
and they have some issues from that, or um, just
(04:21):
having a hard time in school, UM getting bullied, being depressed, UM,
suicidal thoughts, stuff like that. Yeah, that you don't think
actually happens at a young age, but really starts at
a young age. Yeah, that's crazy. I would not have
thought that. So as you kind of get your feet
wet here in your career and Nick's obviously progressing at
the Ravens, your relationships progressing, when did you guys kind
of take the next step? Okay, we're ready to get marriage.
(04:42):
All those conversations are happening that that really did happen
early because I was like, listen, do you see me
being your wife because I am not moving my whole family,
you know, And he was like yeah, So we started
dating in we got engaged early, seen um, and we
got married in the eighteen so, yeah, it happened relatively quick.
(05:04):
You posted this thing, this collage, I guess I would
call it on your story right when training campus starting,
and it was we loved it because it was he
as he progresses through his career. It's first it's the
two of you and you're dating, and then there's a ring,
and then there's a wedding band, and then there's a baby,
and then there's another baby, and now there's a third. Yes,
so we had no babies before COVID. COVID hit and
now we have three babies. That happened just as passes
(05:27):
our relationship happened. But yeah, when you know, you know,
I guess. So I asked Nick for three adjectives about you.
Oh my god when I told me and I was
doing this, Um, he's so I asked him at the
beginning of the lunch Grede. He was like, can I
have lunch to think about it? And I was like, sure,
I won't put you on the spot. He's he comes back, Okay,
I'll be nice, and so I got thoughtful, just great,
(05:49):
loving and sometimes needy. Okay, fair enough, but his job
makes me needy because he's not home very often. Yeah,
that's so when he has home, I'm needy. But it's
a hard balance because he does come home. He has
to be a dad after being you know, football player
all day, and then there's also being husband. So it's
a lot of eggs in one basket. But he does
(06:10):
good job and you can have to be all in
wherever you are right right, And he has a hard time.
You know. It's when he's at football, it's football. When
he's a dad mode, it's dad mode. And when he's
a husband, mode's husband. And he's not very good at
you know, combining a lot of it, but he's working
on it. He's come a long way. That's fair, becauld.
You give me three adjectives that you would used to
describe him. Funny, he's very funny, and you if you
(06:32):
think he's funny, you have to understand his humor. Loving,
he's very loving. He's a very good dad. I'll give
him that. Um throw my bone, okay, oh you're putting
me on the spot. And I would kind of say dorky.
He's kind of dorky. He likes dorky things, like he's
very into RC cars and like he when he's done
(06:53):
playing football, he wants to skateboard again. He's like it
was a big skateboarder Tony Hawk fan. Um, I would
not have predicted that he's a big story. We do
see the funny side a little bit, and I feel
like now that he's a few years and he's like
kind of come out of his shell like Medio Wyes,
But I don't think we get the dirky side. Oh,
come on, come to our house around when he gets home,
he's driving an our C car with Rock in the dirt. Um. Yeah,
(07:15):
you should ask for a picture of his collection. Sometimes
maybe there's a little feature there or something. Yeah, he
keeps the hobby store in Timonium alive. Wow, that's great
when you say, like who even goes to those stories?
Nick and Brock, Nick Boyle keeping them in business? Who knew?
So let's go back you did. We talked about your kids.
You had your first child, Brock, who we actually saw
(07:36):
in Pressers to Seak, which is really cute. Um. We're
taping this during training camp, but well air later, but
he made a little appearance. Um. And that was during
the Quasi Ravens baby boom of nineteen, so the team
was playing lights out and then there was four babies
in the month of December. It was you guys. There
was baby Richard's, baby Clark, and baby Wormley. So I
can imagine that kind of going through that as a
(07:57):
first time mom and had to help kind of having
that community be around you. What was that like? That
was amazing. I still keep in touch with all of
those girls. I feel like that was the whole year
was so amazing. We were all pregnant and so we
can only have so much fun at the game because
you know, but we were all Friday and we all
had our babies around the same time, and it was
just so nice. We were all first time moms too,
so it was like not someone knew more than the other.
(08:20):
We were all kind of going into this blind and
our husband's not being home, which adds a whole other layer.
You know, when's the baby coming, Is it going to
be game day, or they're going to be called in
the middle of the game, like all things that most
people don't have to worry about. But yeah, that was
that was so nice to have them to lean on.
So what was the timing kind of like for you
was Nick able to be there and kind of what
was that like? Yeah, so it actually worked out amazing.
(08:41):
It was a Thursday night game, Um, and I had
scheduled to be induced on Friday morning, so he had
a Thursday night game. I wasn't able to go. My
mom made me stay home. She's like, you're not going.
You're giving birth tomorrow, You're staying home. So we watched
it on the couch. But so he came home. It
was probably I don't know, twelve in the morning and
we had to be there at four a m. So
he just stayed up all night and played video games
(09:02):
and we went in the morning. Got delayed, long story whatever,
but we had on that Friday, so he was able
to be there. That does work out. That's nice. So
what are the challenges to I guess then of its December.
Obviously there was a playoff push there. A team plays
into a little bit into January that year. So how
was Nick able to be there during that time? I
mean it was a balance. Um, you know, he could
(09:23):
be there as much as he could. But yeah, every
every week I'm like, please win, but also come home.
Please win, but come home, but make the Super Bowl.
But I also want to be there. But I have
a two months old so there was a lot of emotions,
you know, post part of hormones too or like all
over the place. But yeah, I was like, this is
going to be there to make the super Bowl because
I have a baby that I can't free right. But no, um,
he's he really is good when he comes home. He's
(09:45):
like full that mode. I remember an interview he did
at the time where he said that like everything with
him as a competition and even down to like changing diapers.
So I imagine, that's great, you just gave birth. Your
husband's competing with you about how good you are changing diapers,
eating your warm Yeah. No, he's still like that. Um.
He still asked that I got in all the cracks
and crevices. I'm like, yes, I have gotten in all
(10:06):
the cracks. His mom still holds them to it, like
I guess he said one time, like you know, did
you wipe good or something? And his mom wass to
be like she had four kids, like I have four kids,
and she still brings that up that that he doesn't
think she can change the diaper. But he is the
best at everything. Is really perfectionists at all areas. You know,
when you're that good at certain things. I guess it
carries over um. So obviously life has changed a lot
(10:29):
over your time in the NFL together, and you guys
have been through some trials together. Hasn't always been sunshina rainbows.
Obviously that's the best UM. But when Nick signed his
first contract extension, I remember he talked about there was
a period there, like when he was serving his suspension.
He had there's ten games sixteen for the previous season
where he talked about, you guys were afraid to go
to the grocery store because people would heckle you. And
(10:51):
what is that like? Going through that with your significant other.
It's just like the highs, like it's awesome when you
get to go and people are like, oh Nick, well
you know, but then when it's the lows, like people
are low, like they will say anything and everything. I mean,
still his name is still attached to that, but I
mean he did it to himself. He'll own it. Um.
But it's hard, Like it's hard being in the spotlight.
It's hard. I know, people dam me on Instagram anything
(11:14):
like people just don't care. There's no filter on any platform.
That's that's definitely hard. I've gotten used to it. It
doesn't affect him. Really, I don't think, um, it affects
him more. I think now it's still being something like
he wants to read. So now when people are like, oh,
you know, he looks great, but he's probably doing steroids,
you know, like, no that's not you know, can we
(11:35):
can you just look good? You know? Could it just
be like not bad? Um? But no, it's the lows
are hard. The lows are hard, and the highs are good.
So it just comes with and everyone's like a keyboard warrior,
you know, like anyone can say anything on the internet.
I think it was surprising to me that I feel
like people are a little more hesitant in person generally.
But that's that is tough. So he then solidifies his
(11:56):
role here, He earns a trust the front office, coaching staff,
signs another extension. So what did that kind of change
for you guys as you realize, Okay, this is something
that's really stable here that we've built. No, that was
that was a really good first confidence. I mean, if
if you asked me if I thought we were going
to be here forever, I would have no idea. But
I mean he's the second longest raven now, which is incredible.
(12:19):
It's so crazy, um to think about that. But it's
really become our home, Like we stay here all year around,
all of our kids were born here. It's we've really
made this place at home. And I think having his
job feel like they value him, and you know he
loves coming here. It's just it's like the icing on
the cake totally. And you guys aren't that far from
your family's either, right, No? Yeah, so like I said,
(12:41):
we are, entire family is in a twenty minute radius
at home, so it's only a four four hour drive.
That's awesome. Yeah, So we talked a little bit about
the lows. There's another low in November at the Patriots.
There's he suffers a gruesome injury. Where were you? What
is that? Those next twenty four hours? Like I'm staying
on my couch watching the game, half like trying to
(13:03):
not fall asleep, my head starting to doze because I
have baby at home, um, and my phone just started
blowing up. Obviously I watched it, but he wasn't like
his face didn't look bad. But the other team calling
the staff over. I was like, oh, this can't be good.
So I'm calling him, calling him. Of course he's not
answering like, that's not on his phone. I don't know why.
I thought that was just my immediate reaction. What else do?
(13:25):
So then I have his parents calling me and I can't.
I don't know, I don't I haven't talked to him. Um.
And then he called me right away and he's like, yeah,
my knees done. So I'm like, okay, I'm like, what
does this mean. He's like, I'll fly home with the team.
You have to pick me up, blah blah blah. Um.
But just watching that, I mean, he's never endured an
injury like that ever, Like I mean even in college
(13:46):
he had something small, but like, he's never seen that
side of the game. So to have your entire life
ripped from you and you know, one play, it's really hard.
And he was he was really in a dark place
that I took a toll on him. I'm sure you
can ask more about that, all right. Well, yeah, so
he's in the hospital after anie surgery, and he talked
(14:07):
about like it was an emotional roller coaster because this
is something that's your livelihood, Like you said, you've done
it every day of your life in the past, however
many years, So how do you handle kind of balancing
his emotions as he's going through all of that. It's hard.
I mean, like I said, he's pretty. I would describe
him as like a pretty stable personality guy, like he's
(14:29):
nothing really affects him. You know, he doesn't get down
too often. He doesn't you know, get overly excited too
often either. He's pretty like mellow. But seeing him go
on that roller coaster with something new that I had
to learn how to deal with. You know, if he
wanted space, he needed space, which again is hard for
me make some needy as he said, I want to
saw things right then and there. Um. But having brought
(14:50):
home I think was what really got him through that
because I could say anything, you know, a million times,
righting cards and bringing flowers, but nothing like hearing your
son say dad, dad, or like wanting to hug him.
You know that that got him through really, especially when
he couldn't walk, you know, he could sit on his
lap and you know, do things that I was just like, Okay,
(15:10):
go for a walk, No you want to you know,
watch a movie. No, I can't move from We actually
had to put up a gate in our dining room.
This is funny because Brock would just either smash his
knee with toys or pull out every chord that was
attached to him, so we had to we have it.
We still have the gate in our dining room and
gated off the entire dining room. Made it like Nix's
rehab room. Yeah. Yeah, kids don't really understand then, But
(15:34):
I'm sure silver lining was that he did get so
much time at home with Brock, because that wouldn't have
happened otherwise, right, That's what I say all the time.
I mean, even you were talking about that suspension, talking
about um, you know, him getting hurt. Both of those times.
We probably wouldn't have met if he wasn't home on
that break because we haven't been home for Christmas since
that um. And then you know with Brock, like he
(15:55):
would have never had that time as a baby with him.
So if there's a silver lining there, it all works
out exactly. So I want to share a post um
that you shared. I think this was last year after
the crucial catch game, and this is it like gives
me chills even just reading it back, So I'm going
to read it for the listeners. You can find this
on her Instagram at Christina Maria Boyle um Nick honored
(16:18):
your mom last year during the Crucial Catch game, and
you shared this post on Instagram about when you found
out that you're expecting your thirds. I'm going to read it,
you said. Back in September, I flew out to the
Mayo Clinic with my mom for her three months check up.
We knew there was a chance for cancer could have returned. However,
we were not prepared to hear the doctors say that
not only had the cancer returned, but it was terminal.
One of the first things my mom said to me was,
(16:39):
maybe I'll see one more baby naturally. I was very
upset thinking about my future kids not being able to
meet their oma. Once home, I was greeted by Brock
having a stomach virus and throwing up all over our
living room. Rug Nick and I went to Costco shortly
after to get a new rug when I started feeling sick.
In the checkoutline, great Brock shared his stomach bug. How
(17:00):
sweet I thought. The next day, something told me to
take a pregnancy test. I still don't know why, because
we were not at any infertility meds and we've never
gotten pregnant naturally, and we were not trying too much
of my surprise I found out I was pregnant. My
mom definitely knew I was going to need some light
during what was about to be a very dark time.
And you said, with all that being said, baby boiled
(17:21):
number three coming this May, this past May, ring on
three under two and a half, and I just get chills,
and that's beautiful. What made you decide that was something
that you wanted to share publicly? Well, I think, um,
no one really knew that this was going on. Um,
it was kind of behind the scenes. I was back
and forth trying to take care of her, and it
(17:41):
happened really quick, like you know, it was in September
when we flew out, and then she passed away the
first week of November, So it happened like very very quick.
And she was actually visiting UM a couple of weeks
before we went to the MYO clinic, and I had
noticed something, you know, just being in mine ourself, being
like what is that? You know? She was like nothing whatever. Um.
(18:02):
So it was very unexpected though, and UM, I wasn't
going to share. But Nick had held up a sign
at the crucial catch game and a lot of people
on the team had seen that, and you know, like,
what's going on with your mom? Like I didn't know.
And I was like, yeah, you know, it's been so
crazy Nixon season. I have, you know, two kids. I'm
going back and forth. And you know, luckily, like I said,
(18:22):
our family lives so close that they were able to help.
But we were back and forth and back and forth,
and you know, I was like, where are you what
are you doing? And so I decided to share. Um.
I got more open with the girls you know on
the team, like, yeah, this is what's going on. And
I got a lot of support after the crucial catch game,
and that was really helpful because, like I said, this
is like your family when you're in football season. All
the girls here, these are your family members, um, and
(18:45):
they were super supportive, and yeah, I guess that's why
I wanted to share. Yeah. I like hearing stories, you know,
when there's dark times, some light in the dark time,
and it gives other people hope to you know, to
see that you've progressed through this. And actually one of
my coworkers, Gina, grew up in y'all's hometown as well,
and when I told her I was doing this interview
with you She was like, I've always been impressed with
how resilient Christina is. And how do you say so
(19:07):
positive as you go through things like this? Um, well, yeah,
that's that's a good question. So yeah, I've been through
a lot. Um. I've lost my dad when I was
a senior in high school, so I was young and
in that time, um, and I think I learned a
lot of coping skills I at a young age, which
I don't think a lot of people, you know, learned
(19:28):
how they're in adulthood sadly, you know, you should be
enjoying your high school years, not learning coping skills. But
and then I lost my brother, um a few years ago,
and then my mom obviously, And I think I mean
having my family, especially this time, I didn't have you know,
I had my mom back then, and then I you know,
I had my mom through both the first two losses,
but this time around, I had Nick and my kids,
(19:49):
And like, I always had people that were really supportive
in my life that you know, taught me how to
get through, which taught me how to be a strong person.
And my mom was an extremely strong person. She, like
I said, you know, went through a lot of tough times,
and I always just used the phrase like a strong
woman raised me and to a strong woman, and I think, like,
that's super true. I don't really have any other Yeah,
(20:13):
I love that. I love that. I would agree with
that as well. I definitely appreciate I think everyone appreciates
their mom more as they become an adult. Like, while
I was such a right meanwhile, she was the only
one that ever had your back. And I was like, oh,
she's really right about everything. Um. But so then this offseason,
you are pregnant and you have two little ones already
(20:35):
and Nick pitches to you, let's move to Arizona for
the off season. How did that go over? Well, initially,
I'm like, what's in Arizona? Like I had never been
to Arizona. Um, I just know it's really hot. Um.
So he was like, you know, I want to go
train out there. I want to switch it up. I
feel like I just need like change of environment. And
I was like, okay, well we're going like tomorrow or
(20:56):
for going because I'm twenty eight weeks pregnant. I need
to get back know, And so he was like, okay,
well let's just leave tomorrow. I know that's Nick, let's
just go tomorrow, Like no, not literally tomorrow, neck, Like
I need to pack. We're supposed to be going to
Disney in a couple of days. Like we had an
entire Disney trip that was supposed to be a couple
of weeks later, but we made it into like three
(21:16):
days later. We let me moved the entire trip, went
to Disney, and came home packed, and then went to
Arizona because I said, we are not canceling Disney. I
just want to go to Disney so bad. We need this. Yes,
I'm like, I need this. So we did go to Disney,
came home, went to Arizona, and it actually ended up
being like some of my favorite months of off season
ever because it was just the four of us at
(21:39):
the time. Um, even though it was pregnant, like very pregnant.
We just spent all day together. He would rehab in
the morning and then we had like the whole day.
Whereas I guess it's not that different, but it felt
a lot different because at home, you know, you're like, oh,
I have to mow the lawn, I have to do laundry,
I have to let's clean up toys, let's do this.
But in Arizona. We had, you know, one box of
toys because I can't bring your whole life with you.
(22:01):
One box of toys and a pool and like we
were outside and there's so much to do out there.
We were you know, it felt like a couple of
month vacation really, So yeah, it ended up being really fun.
Then he pitched to me, let's go again. So we
went again. Oh well you went back. Yeah, we went back.
So he came home for O t S and okay,
minicamp and then he was like, I want to go back.
(22:23):
I'm like, we're not going back. We just we just
got home. He was like, no, I want to go back.
So we had a two week old and we flew
to Arizona for another month. So in that little break
in between mini camp and training camp. So do you
think it was worth it? Did it pay off? He's
I mean, he says it did, so that's all that matters.
He was also going through this like really restrictive diet.
(22:45):
So were you guys following that? Was that just a
dad thing where there are multiple meals being made? How
does that work? Yea, So he was on a meal
plan out there where all his meals were delivered. He
only Nick is either all in or not in it
at all. He's either eat exactly the same four meals
a day every day for the next three months, or
let me eat an entire thing of oreos like there
(23:06):
is no in between at all. Um. So he was
on that diet the entire time we were in Arizona,
came home, didn't have the meals obviously because he was
in Arizona, came back to Arizona, had the meals again,
and now he's actually getting them shipped to our house. Wow. Yeah,
that sounds terrible. Honestly, the meals are not terrible, but
(23:26):
just right. My fiance can make three things. It's brown rice, broccoli,
and chicken. So that's like all he eat. And I
was like, that's not gonna work for me for the
next eight years. Well that's three more things than it
can make. So you do scrambled next. Yes, that's like
the one thing because they have to be able to
make breakfast for themselves. So the change of scenery obviously
was nice too. Did you guys spend time with the
(23:48):
Andrews family, Like while you're out there? Was he working
with market at all? He wasn't working out with Mark,
but they did catch a few times. Um played in
our yard. He marked kick the soccer ball around with
BROC few days. Yeah, and they did have us or
for dinner, which was super nice. His parents are so
sweet and welcoming and we're like the grandparents chasing all
my children at while I'm like waddling nine months pregnant
(24:09):
around But now they're super sweet. Martha Andrews was on
the podcast last season. She has great I actually never
met her in person, it was all over zoomed, but
she is great. She is super sweet. Um, so what
is game day like for you? Do you have any superstitions?
Do you have like a routine? I know it's probably
changed as added kids to the mix, but so prior
to kids, you had like well, I should say prior
(24:29):
to COVID because that's the same thing. But Nick's mom
used to do an entire tailgate, I mean down to
raven snapkins, a raven bird on the table, like she
went all out. She's the queen of tailgating. So when
she starts her tail gates back up again, I'm going
to invite you guys. She really is the queen of tailgating.
Has like an entire been of straight tailgates. Um, so
(24:53):
that's what it used to look like. Then we had
kids and COVID we couldn't go for you know, a
couple of years and whatever. Then it got her, So
it's been a little different Now Now it's how fast
can I get Brock dressed, get his shoes on. That's
like an hour event, Um, get him out of the
house because he is obsessed with coming to the games. Him,
um and all his little friends you know, meet at
(25:15):
the games and cheer for daddy and it's it's fun.
I'm excited for this year because I think he'll really Yeah,
and Blakeley was young last year, so she was actually
harder to bring. She wouldn't actually sit and watch. She
just it's a long time I have to ask a
kid to sit, yeah, and stare at something where they
may or may not understand what's happening, right, right, So yeah,
I usually if you feed her snacks though she can
sit for a while, you just keep feeding the snacks.
(25:36):
And I'm the same way. Keep the fries coming anything
you catch up, she'll eat. So girl after my own heart.
Do you think Brock does kind of like understand this
is dad's job. He plays football, Like, is he starting
to get that? Yeah, he definitely is getting that now.
If you ask him why does Daddy have to go
to work, he'll say because if he stops, we'll have
no more money. He tells everybody that. It's hilarious. I'm like,
(26:00):
where did you hear that? Well, that's what Daddy says.
I'm like, okay, fair fair So he um, yeah, he
definitely understands it. And he nick was recently on the
w B A L like intro or whatever. Yeah, like
the promos. Yeah. So, um, he saw him on the
TV the other day and he goes, why Daddy on TV?
I'm like, well, that's his job, you know, And he
(26:21):
just right over his head like he just doesn't understand
why if he sees him on TV, why he's not
playing football? Like so he doesn't really understand that aspect.
But everybody's daddy. If if the Broncos are playing, there's
Daddy on TV. Like, everybody's daddy, anybody in a football jersey.
So you see daddy out there? Yeah, I see daddy.
I'm like, he's not even out there, but okay, we'll
get there, get there. He mostly just wants to see Po. Honestly,
(26:44):
we look for Po the entire game's PO loves Poe.
They're they're either terrified of him or they love Poe.
He never got that close. If he was close, he
probably would be terrified, but far away he loves Po.
Yeah he's cute. Yeah. Um. We talked probably about some
of the hardest moments of his NFL career, at the injuries,
suspensions of going through all those things. What's been the
most rewarding moment of his career for you? I feel
(27:06):
like seeing his first touch on because there was so
much hype like, oh, he hasn't had a touchdown and
no touchdohn Boyle, you know whatever. Um, But seeing his
first touchdown, I was very pregnant, I think with Blakely. Yeah,
I was against the Patriots game. It was a night game,
and I started jumping up down and I was like,
I'm going to pee my pants. My mother and I
was like, you need to sit down. I was so excited,
(27:28):
but yeah, I had to sit down because that could
have ended bad, go into labor. Yeah, something, something bad
could have really happened. But that was definitely the best
just to see that and get that, you know, under
his bault was fun to see and we've talked about
like how carrying both of you are, and something that's
always stopped to me is how involved the two of
you have been in the community here in Baltimore in
your time here. I know COVID has made that challenging,
(27:50):
but do you think that comes from your background as
a nurse, that you've always been really invested in the
community here. Yeah. And I think also going back to
like working, it's I wouldn't say a community job, but
I see a lot of what goes on in the community,
like what the kids have to deal with, then you
know what their home lives are like. And I think
that made me very invested. Um. And then we always
(28:10):
love the Special Olympics UM was in place Place sixty. Yeah, Yeah,
that event was always so fun to go to it
And they'll d m Nick on Instagram. They actually like
we'll talk back and forth like Nick I saw this,
you know, and it's like, oh yeah, man, thanks, Like
he has like made fans through that that are so cute. Um.
But yeah, just seeing that is why we do it,
(28:31):
like making the connection and you know, knowing you're making
a difference in somebody's life is awesome, right, And you
guys also you've just been there for people when they
need it. During the COVID pandemic, like we talked about,
you teamed up with the Maryland Food Bank and you
guys made a donation to provide seventy five thousand meals
for families in the Baltimore area, which is incredible. What
went into that decision? Why did you decide that this
(28:51):
was something that we really need to take action about. Um? Well,
like I said, um working as a nurse, I also
worked at RTC in Timonia, UM and it was school based,
so the kids would go to school there, and I
just saw, you know, how many kids come here nonetheless
with no breakfast, but no lunch, and then thinking about
what they come home for dinner. How a lot of
(29:12):
them you know, are in foster care and the foster
care system and you know everything like that, just seeing
you know, sometimes I would say what did you have
for dinner? And you know, like, oh, my siblings and
I shared a can of soup and like for all
of you, and they'd be like six seven kids, And
just seeing that and knowing that they're not coming to
school to get a meal, it was just tears my
heart up. Um so, always been something close to my heart.
(29:34):
Food And I mean I see how lucky my kids
are and how much they devour food. Thinking about my
kids sharing a can of soup just honestly is puts
everything into perspective. Um. So, yeah, that was super important
to us to do something during that time that. That's awesome.
What is your favorite thing to do as a family
outside of football? What is our favorite thing? We were
(29:55):
just like going places. I feel like getting out the house.
Were like in the house a lot and it's hard
to you put three kids, it really is hard. But
so we we do like to go out. So we
do like hyper kids. Do you know a hyper kid?
It's an indoor playground and knowing smells and it's like
you can run around and like there's slides and stuff
like that. And um going to the park and Nick
(30:16):
and Brock love taking the RC car to the park
to the cars back to the cars. That's their favorite thing.
We have a mule, now a mule, A mule. It's
like the animal, No, no, not the animal you ride
on it. Um, I don't know another word for a
TV okay, okay, but it has like the actual like that. Okay,
that's a mule. Okay, yeah, there's like a like a gator.
(30:37):
I was like, yeah, gator, gator, golf cart, situations, mix
of all those things. Okay, well we've recently got one
of those this offseason. I have no idea why, because
we live in Baltimore County and have less than eight
or land so I don't know why. We circles in
the yard. Literally that's what we do. Circles in the yard.
And there's a small trail that we have to go
through someone else's yard to get to that Knicks does. Anyway, Um,
(31:01):
we got that and that's been a very fun family
activity to go on. The mule the mule the mule.
If you guys don't know what that is, you can
google it. I think we did a very terrible job
explaining I can't even tell you the brand of it.
Maybe Kalasaki, but don't quote me at just google mule Mule.
There you go. Not all right, Um, one last thing
for you before we close. You have this little game
(31:23):
we played in It's called the purple hot seat. This
is a purple chair. It's just quick this or that
one of them is actually not at this or that,
so I kind of lied. But the first one is
night game or one PM game, one PM game, so
my kids can go that's fair, close exciting game or
a blowout win close exciting. See I'm blowout win every time.
I don't like the stress um. This one is tough
(31:46):
a loss, but Nick scores or win, but no touchdown
for Nick. So this is a loaded question because I
only care if Nick plays well. So if he played
well with no touch shown, then I'd go with that one.
But touch Dohn's always cool, So lost and a touch
(32:08):
and your favorite thing to do on an off day
m hang out with Nick. I never get to see him, honestly,
we'd like never get to really spend time. The kids
go to sleep and we're both like in bed at
eight thirty. We are early birds to bed, and so
just hanging out. I just like being around him. It's great, love,
it perfect. Thank you so much for joining me this
(32:28):
is I had so much fun getting to know Christina
Boyle better in this episode. Best believe, I'm going to
tell Nick his wife is a better interviewee than him,
and all seriousness. It's pretty wild to see how much
Nick has grown in his time here. I remember my
first season how nervous Nick would be participating in media obligations.
(32:49):
Christina's even posted photos of him hiding from her camera
on date nights on her Instagram. I'm glad to know
it's not just me now. He may not always enjoy
it and have to fight the ords to roll his
eyes when he sees me coming, but he's truly become
a natural. I loved Christina is sharing with us how
big of a Dorky is at home too. It actually
(33:11):
reminds me of a similar misconception about the Ravens opponent
this week, Mr Joe Flacco himself, as we had to
play the New York Jets this weekend. I only overlapped
with Joe for a few seasons in Baltimore, but I
was always struck by how low key funny he was.
He doesn't get enough credit. Every year, we'd wait with videographers, photographers,
(33:31):
a social team, and external media for guys to report
back to mini camp, training camp, etcetera. And I remember
one camp for QB report day, it was literally only
me waiting outside the player's entrance. When he arrived, Joe
looked at me, looked at my phone, and went we
really consolidated it all down to a phone now, Huh,
We sure did, Joe. Joe was always so kind and gracious,
(33:54):
and I'll always appreciate that as I started out and
gained my footing here, and I'm sure a lot of
his former teammates will be excited to see him this weekend,
and personally, I can't wait to get the season rolling
for my job. Game day is what makes it all
worth it. We'll train up to New York or New
Jersey rather Saturday, which will be a fun switch up
from our normal flights, and I can't wait to tell
(34:15):
you all about it the next time we talk, and
I'll be joined by the Ravens Director of Sports Nutrition,
Sarah Snyder for one of my favorite episodes yet. Don't
forget to leave us a review rate and subscribes. You
get each new episode as it drops. New episodes will
air every other Tuesday. I'll talk to you soon.
What is up, Ravens fans. I am so excited to
be back with you for season two of the Purple
Chair Podcast. If you're just joining us, make sure you
check out season one as I talked with some incredible
women including Ravens, Twitter legend, Lacy DaCosta, the Harballs, NFL agents,
and so many more. The Purple Chair Podcast is where
(00:28):
we amplify women in and around the game. This season,
I'm also going to take you inside my role with
the Ravens and what's happening inside the walls of the
Castle every week, so stay tuned for that at the
end of each episode. This week, I'm so excited to
welcome Christina Boyle, wife of Nick, to the Purple Chair Podcast.
(00:49):
So we're just gonna dive right into y'all story. So
how did you and Nick originally meet? So? Nick and
I actually grew up like fifteen minutes away from each other. Um,
we did not go to the same high school, but
we're from the middle of nowhere, so four towns go
to one high school and there's still like two hundred
people graduating. Um, so it's funny. We have a bunch
of mutual friends that he could have asked my number
(01:09):
for funny d MS me on Instagram. Oh my god. Yep.
I was home from college on Christmas break and he
was home for Christmas and he said, hey there, and
I was like, he couldn't have asked one of our
million mutual friends from my number. He had a d
M me on Instagram, so yeah, he d M me
Hey there, and we hung out every day since until
I had to go back to college and the rest
is history. Hey there, that was his opening line, and
(01:32):
it worked. It worked, so sliding in the d MS
does really work. Even back that's pre early Instagram was
just like becoming a thing. I feel like, So, did
you guys kind of know of each other at that point? Yeah,
we definitely knew who each other was. But he always
had a girlfriend. He always says I was too cool
for him, but he really always had a girlfriend. And yeah,
(01:52):
that's so funny. So we were in college ware at
that point, so I went to University Rhode Island. He
had already graduated Delaware UM, so he was living in Baltimore.
So I would take the flight from Providence, Rhode Island
to Baltimore to see him. For the last semester of college,
and um, yeah, that I moved here. I was like, hey,
are we really going to do this? Are we going
to do this? Because I'm either going to get a
(02:12):
job home or I'm going to move to Baltimore? And
he was like, no, move to Baltimore. So moved to Baltimore.
I got a job. I'm a pediatric psych nurse. I
got a job here. And here we are. So you
were your first semester senior, then that business break and
then you guys, so you basically did long distance first
semester and then moved here. So he had already been
drafted by the Ravens. So what was that time like,
(02:32):
As he's kind of figuring out his career, you're figuring
out yours moving to Baltimore place. You probably haven't spent
that much time outside of coming to see him, right, No,
I've never been here before. So um it was interesting. He,
you know, like you said, was trying to get his
feet wet and football and I was trying to find
a job, which was not easy coming out of college. Um,
(02:54):
but it was fun. I mean I moved into his
bachelor pad apartment and I was like, WHOA gets a
hobby lobby sad because this place is not gonna work
for me. Um. I did get a dog like three
months in because I was so lonely. He was gone
a lot and working out and I had no friends here.
I'm like, how do you meet friends? I don't know.
So yeah, we got a dog like three months after
we started dating. And yeah, that's what a low key
(03:16):
tricky things about being an adult that people don't talk
about enough. It's like making friends when you moved to
a new city, especially when you're like following as into
an other kind of has their life established. You're trying
to figure all that out. Get a job. So I
would imagine that being starting as a nurse in Baltimore
had to been a little intense. So tell me about
that process. Yeah, so it was definitely intense. I knew
I wanted to do psych, but I applied for everything.
(03:38):
I wanted anything pediatric, So I applied for everything, and
I got offered this job at Shepherd Pratt and I
loved it. I loved working there. I worked with kids, Um,
they were like three to twelve, and you saw some
stuff that I never even knew existed, especially being close
to a city. Um. Yeah, like I said, we were
from the middle of nowhere, so it really opened my
(03:59):
eyes to seeing some scary stuff. But I loved that job.
I miss it. Actually. When you say, like being a
psych nurse for pediatric what does that mean? So that
ranges from anything from like PTSD UM reactive detachment disorder.
You know, they are left not being taken care of
and they have some issues from that, or um, just
(04:21):
having a hard time in school, UM getting bullied, being depressed, UM,
suicidal thoughts, stuff like that. Yeah, that you don't think
actually happens at a young age, but really starts at
a young age. Yeah, that's crazy. I would not have
thought that. So as you kind of get your feet
wet here in your career and Nick's obviously progressing at
the Ravens, your relationships progressing, when did you guys kind
of take the next step? Okay, we're ready to get marriage.
(04:42):
All those conversations are happening that that really did happen
early because I was like, listen, do you see me
being your wife because I am not moving my whole family,
you know, And he was like yeah, So we started
dating in we got engaged early, seen um, and we
got married in the eighteen so, yeah, it happened relatively quick.
(05:04):
You posted this thing, this collage, I guess I would
call it on your story right when training campus starting,
and it was we loved it because it was he
as he progresses through his career. It's first it's the
two of you and you're dating, and then there's a ring,
and then there's a wedding band, and then there's a baby,
and then there's another baby, and now there's a third. Yes,
so we had no babies before COVID. COVID hit and
now we have three babies. That happened just as passes
(05:27):
our relationship happened. But yeah, when you know, you know,
I guess. So I asked Nick for three adjectives about you.
Oh my god when I told me and I was
doing this, Um, he's so I asked him at the
beginning of the lunch Grede. He was like, can I
have lunch to think about it? And I was like, sure,
I won't put you on the spot. He's he comes back, Okay,
I'll be nice, and so I got thoughtful, just great,
(05:49):
loving and sometimes needy. Okay, fair enough, but his job
makes me needy because he's not home very often. Yeah,
that's so when he has home, I'm needy. But it's
a hard balance because he does come home. He has
to be a dad after being you know, football player
all day, and then there's also being husband. So it's
a lot of eggs in one basket. But he does
(06:10):
good job and you can have to be all in
wherever you are right right, And he has a hard time.
You know. It's when he's at football, it's football. When
he's a dad mode, it's dad mode. And when he's
a husband, mode's husband. And he's not very good at
you know, combining a lot of it, but he's working
on it. He's come a long way. That's fair, becauld.
You give me three adjectives that you would used to
describe him. Funny, he's very funny, and you if you
(06:32):
think he's funny, you have to understand his humor. Loving,
he's very loving. He's a very good dad. I'll give
him that. Um throw my bone, okay, oh you're putting
me on the spot. And I would kind of say dorky.
He's kind of dorky. He likes dorky things, like he's
very into RC cars and like he when he's done
(06:53):
playing football, he wants to skateboard again. He's like it
was a big skateboarder Tony Hawk fan. Um, I would
not have predicted that he's a big story. We do
see the funny side a little bit, and I feel
like now that he's a few years and he's like
kind of come out of his shell like Medio Wyes,
But I don't think we get the dirky side. Oh,
come on, come to our house around when he gets home,
he's driving an our C car with Rock in the dirt. Um. Yeah,
(07:15):
you should ask for a picture of his collection. Sometimes
maybe there's a little feature there or something. Yeah, he
keeps the hobby store in Timonium alive. Wow, that's great
when you say, like who even goes to those stories?
Nick and Brock, Nick Boyle keeping them in business? Who knew?
So let's go back you did. We talked about your kids.
You had your first child, Brock, who we actually saw
(07:36):
in Pressers to Seak, which is really cute. Um. We're
taping this during training camp, but well air later, but
he made a little appearance. Um. And that was during
the Quasi Ravens baby boom of nineteen, so the team
was playing lights out and then there was four babies
in the month of December. It was you guys. There
was baby Richard's, baby Clark, and baby Wormley. So I
can imagine that kind of going through that as a
(07:57):
first time mom and had to help kind of having
that community be around you. What was that like? That
was amazing. I still keep in touch with all of
those girls. I feel like that was the whole year
was so amazing. We were all pregnant and so we
can only have so much fun at the game because
you know, but we were all Friday and we all
had our babies around the same time, and it was
just so nice. We were all first time moms too,
so it was like not someone knew more than the other.
(08:20):
We were all kind of going into this blind and
our husband's not being home, which adds a whole other layer.
You know, when's the baby coming, Is it going to
be game day, or they're going to be called in
the middle of the game, like all things that most
people don't have to worry about. But yeah, that was
that was so nice to have them to lean on.
So what was the timing kind of like for you
was Nick able to be there and kind of what
was that like? Yeah, so it actually worked out amazing.
(08:41):
It was a Thursday night game, Um, and I had
scheduled to be induced on Friday morning, so he had
a Thursday night game. I wasn't able to go. My
mom made me stay home. She's like, you're not going.
You're giving birth tomorrow, You're staying home. So we watched
it on the couch. But so he came home. It
was probably I don't know, twelve in the morning and
we had to be there at four a m. So
he just stayed up all night and played video games
(09:02):
and we went in the morning. Got delayed, long story whatever,
but we had on that Friday, so he was able
to be there. That does work out. That's nice. So
what are the challenges to I guess then of its December.
Obviously there was a playoff push there. A team plays
into a little bit into January that year. So how
was Nick able to be there during that time? I
mean it was a balance. Um, you know, he could
(09:23):
be there as much as he could. But yeah, every
every week I'm like, please win, but also come home.
Please win, but come home, but make the Super Bowl.
But I also want to be there. But I have
a two months old so there was a lot of emotions,
you know, post part of hormones too or like all
over the place. But yeah, I was like, this is
going to be there to make the super Bowl because
I have a baby that I can't free right. But no, um,
he's he really is good when he comes home. He's
(09:45):
like full that mode. I remember an interview he did
at the time where he said that like everything with
him as a competition and even down to like changing diapers.
So I imagine, that's great, you just gave birth. Your
husband's competing with you about how good you are changing diapers,
eating your warm Yeah. No, he's still like that. Um.
He still asked that I got in all the cracks
and crevices. I'm like, yes, I have gotten in all
(10:06):
the cracks. His mom still holds them to it, like
I guess he said one time, like you know, did
you wipe good or something? And his mom wass to
be like she had four kids, like I have four kids,
and she still brings that up that that he doesn't
think she can change the diaper. But he is the
best at everything. Is really perfectionists at all areas. You know,
when you're that good at certain things. I guess it
carries over um. So obviously life has changed a lot
(10:29):
over your time in the NFL together, and you guys
have been through some trials together. Hasn't always been sunshina rainbows.
Obviously that's the best UM. But when Nick signed his
first contract extension, I remember he talked about there was
a period there, like when he was serving his suspension.
He had there's ten games sixteen for the previous season
where he talked about, you guys were afraid to go
to the grocery store because people would heckle you. And
(10:51):
what is that like? Going through that with your significant other.
It's just like the highs, like it's awesome when you
get to go and people are like, oh Nick, well
you know, but then when it's the lows, like people
are low, like they will say anything and everything. I mean,
still his name is still attached to that, but I
mean he did it to himself. He'll own it. Um.
But it's hard, Like it's hard being in the spotlight.
It's hard. I know, people dam me on Instagram anything
(11:14):
like people just don't care. There's no filter on any platform.
That's that's definitely hard. I've gotten used to it. It
doesn't affect him. Really, I don't think, um, it affects
him more. I think now it's still being something like
he wants to read. So now when people are like, oh,
you know, he looks great, but he's probably doing steroids,
you know, like, no that's not you know, can we
(11:35):
can you just look good? You know? Could it just
be like not bad? Um? But no, it's the lows
are hard. The lows are hard, and the highs are good.
So it just comes with and everyone's like a keyboard warrior,
you know, like anyone can say anything on the internet.
I think it was surprising to me that I feel
like people are a little more hesitant in person generally.
But that's that is tough. So he then solidifies his
(11:56):
role here, He earns a trust the front office, coaching staff,
signs another extension. So what did that kind of change
for you guys as you realize, Okay, this is something
that's really stable here that we've built. No, that was
that was a really good first confidence. I mean, if
if you asked me if I thought we were going
to be here forever, I would have no idea. But
I mean he's the second longest raven now, which is incredible.
(12:19):
It's so crazy, um to think about that. But it's
really become our home, Like we stay here all year around,
all of our kids were born here. It's we've really
made this place at home. And I think having his
job feel like they value him, and you know he
loves coming here. It's just it's like the icing on
the cake totally. And you guys aren't that far from
your family's either, right, No? Yeah, so like I said,
(12:41):
we are, entire family is in a twenty minute radius
at home, so it's only a four four hour drive.
That's awesome. Yeah, So we talked a little bit about
the lows. There's another low in November at the Patriots.
There's he suffers a gruesome injury. Where were you? What
is that? Those next twenty four hours? Like I'm staying
on my couch watching the game, half like trying to
(13:03):
not fall asleep, my head starting to doze because I
have baby at home, um, and my phone just started
blowing up. Obviously I watched it, but he wasn't like
his face didn't look bad. But the other team calling
the staff over. I was like, oh, this can't be good.
So I'm calling him, calling him. Of course he's not
answering like, that's not on his phone. I don't know why.
I thought that was just my immediate reaction. What else do?
(13:25):
So then I have his parents calling me and I can't.
I don't know, I don't I haven't talked to him. Um.
And then he called me right away and he's like, yeah,
my knees done. So I'm like, okay, I'm like, what
does this mean. He's like, I'll fly home with the team.
You have to pick me up, blah blah blah. Um.
But just watching that, I mean, he's never endured an
injury like that ever, Like I mean even in college
(13:46):
he had something small, but like, he's never seen that
side of the game. So to have your entire life
ripped from you and you know, one play, it's really hard.
And he was he was really in a dark place
that I took a toll on him. I'm sure you
can ask more about that, all right. Well, yeah, so
he's in the hospital after anie surgery, and he talked
(14:07):
about like it was an emotional roller coaster because this
is something that's your livelihood, Like you said, you've done
it every day of your life in the past, however
many years, So how do you handle kind of balancing
his emotions as he's going through all of that. It's hard.
I mean, like I said, he's pretty. I would describe
him as like a pretty stable personality guy, like he's
(14:29):
nothing really affects him. You know, he doesn't get down
too often. He doesn't you know, get overly excited too
often either. He's pretty like mellow. But seeing him go
on that roller coaster with something new that I had
to learn how to deal with. You know, if he
wanted space, he needed space, which again is hard for
me make some needy as he said, I want to
saw things right then and there. Um. But having brought
(14:50):
home I think was what really got him through that
because I could say anything, you know, a million times,
righting cards and bringing flowers, but nothing like hearing your
son say dad, dad, or like wanting to hug him.
You know that that got him through really, especially when
he couldn't walk, you know, he could sit on his
lap and you know, do things that I was just like, Okay,
(15:10):
go for a walk, No you want to you know,
watch a movie. No, I can't move from We actually
had to put up a gate in our dining room.
This is funny because Brock would just either smash his
knee with toys or pull out every chord that was
attached to him, so we had to we have it.
We still have the gate in our dining room and
gated off the entire dining room. Made it like Nix's
rehab room. Yeah. Yeah, kids don't really understand then, But
(15:34):
I'm sure silver lining was that he did get so
much time at home with Brock, because that wouldn't have
happened otherwise, right, That's what I say all the time.
I mean, even you were talking about that suspension, talking
about um, you know, him getting hurt. Both of those times.
We probably wouldn't have met if he wasn't home on
that break because we haven't been home for Christmas since
that um. And then you know with Brock, like he
(15:55):
would have never had that time as a baby with him.
So if there's a silver lining there, it all works
out exactly. So I want to share a post um
that you shared. I think this was last year after
the crucial catch game, and this is it like gives
me chills even just reading it back, So I'm going
to read it for the listeners. You can find this
on her Instagram at Christina Maria Boyle um Nick honored
(16:18):
your mom last year during the Crucial Catch game, and
you shared this post on Instagram about when you found
out that you're expecting your thirds. I'm going to read it,
you said. Back in September, I flew out to the
Mayo Clinic with my mom for her three months check up.
We knew there was a chance for cancer could have returned. However,
we were not prepared to hear the doctors say that
not only had the cancer returned, but it was terminal.
One of the first things my mom said to me was,
(16:39):
maybe I'll see one more baby naturally. I was very
upset thinking about my future kids not being able to
meet their oma. Once home, I was greeted by Brock
having a stomach virus and throwing up all over our
living room. Rug Nick and I went to Costco shortly
after to get a new rug when I started feeling sick.
In the checkoutline, great Brock shared his stomach bug. How
(17:00):
sweet I thought. The next day, something told me to
take a pregnancy test. I still don't know why, because
we were not at any infertility meds and we've never
gotten pregnant naturally, and we were not trying too much
of my surprise I found out I was pregnant. My
mom definitely knew I was going to need some light
during what was about to be a very dark time.
And you said, with all that being said, baby boiled
(17:21):
number three coming this May, this past May, ring on
three under two and a half, and I just get chills,
and that's beautiful. What made you decide that was something
that you wanted to share publicly? Well, I think, um,
no one really knew that this was going on. Um,
it was kind of behind the scenes. I was back
and forth trying to take care of her, and it
(17:41):
happened really quick, like you know, it was in September
when we flew out, and then she passed away the
first week of November, So it happened like very very quick.
And she was actually visiting UM a couple of weeks
before we went to the MYO clinic, and I had
noticed something, you know, just being in mine ourself, being
like what is that? You know? She was like nothing whatever. Um.
(18:02):
So it was very unexpected though, and UM, I wasn't
going to share. But Nick had held up a sign
at the crucial catch game and a lot of people
on the team had seen that, and you know, like,
what's going on with your mom? Like I didn't know.
And I was like, yeah, you know, it's been so
crazy Nixon season. I have, you know, two kids. I'm
going back and forth. And you know, luckily, like I said,
(18:22):
our family lives so close that they were able to help.
But we were back and forth and back and forth,
and you know, I was like, where are you what
are you doing? And so I decided to share. Um.
I got more open with the girls you know on
the team, like, yeah, this is what's going on. And
I got a lot of support after the crucial catch game,
and that was really helpful because, like I said, this
is like your family when you're in football season. All
the girls here, these are your family members, um, and
(18:45):
they were super supportive, and yeah, I guess that's why
I wanted to share. Yeah. I like hearing stories, you know,
when there's dark times, some light in the dark time,
and it gives other people hope to you know, to
see that you've progressed through this. And actually one of
my coworkers, Gina, grew up in y'all's hometown as well,
and when I told her I was doing this interview
with you She was like, I've always been impressed with
how resilient Christina is. And how do you say so
(19:07):
positive as you go through things like this? Um, well, yeah,
that's that's a good question. So yeah, I've been through
a lot. Um. I've lost my dad when I was
a senior in high school, so I was young and
in that time, um, and I think I learned a
lot of coping skills I at a young age, which
I don't think a lot of people, you know, learned
(19:28):
how they're in adulthood sadly, you know, you should be
enjoying your high school years, not learning coping skills. But
and then I lost my brother, um a few years ago,
and then my mom obviously, And I think I mean
having my family, especially this time, I didn't have you know,
I had my mom back then, and then I you know,
I had my mom through both the first two losses,
but this time around, I had Nick and my kids,
(19:49):
And like, I always had people that were really supportive
in my life that you know, taught me how to
get through, which taught me how to be a strong person.
And my mom was an extremely strong person. She, like
I said, you know, went through a lot of tough times,
and I always just used the phrase like a strong
woman raised me and to a strong woman, and I think, like,
that's super true. I don't really have any other Yeah,
(20:13):
I love that. I love that. I would agree with
that as well. I definitely appreciate I think everyone appreciates
their mom more as they become an adult. Like, while
I was such a right meanwhile, she was the only
one that ever had your back. And I was like, oh,
she's really right about everything. Um. But so then this offseason,
you are pregnant and you have two little ones already
(20:35):
and Nick pitches to you, let's move to Arizona for
the off season. How did that go over? Well, initially,
I'm like, what's in Arizona? Like I had never been
to Arizona. Um, I just know it's really hot. Um.
So he was like, you know, I want to go
train out there. I want to switch it up. I
feel like I just need like change of environment. And
I was like, okay, well we're going like tomorrow or
(20:56):
for going because I'm twenty eight weeks pregnant. I need
to get back know, And so he was like, okay,
well let's just leave tomorrow. I know that's Nick, let's
just go tomorrow, Like no, not literally tomorrow, neck, Like
I need to pack. We're supposed to be going to
Disney in a couple of days. Like we had an
entire Disney trip that was supposed to be a couple
of weeks later, but we made it into like three
(21:16):
days later. We let me moved the entire trip, went
to Disney, and came home packed, and then went to
Arizona because I said, we are not canceling Disney. I
just want to go to Disney so bad. We need this. Yes,
I'm like, I need this. So we did go to Disney,
came home, went to Arizona, and it actually ended up
being like some of my favorite months of off season
ever because it was just the four of us at
(21:39):
the time. Um, even though it was pregnant, like very pregnant.
We just spent all day together. He would rehab in
the morning and then we had like the whole day.
Whereas I guess it's not that different, but it felt
a lot different because at home, you know, you're like, oh,
I have to mow the lawn, I have to do laundry,
I have to let's clean up toys, let's do this.
But in Arizona. We had, you know, one box of
toys because I can't bring your whole life with you.
(22:01):
One box of toys and a pool and like we
were outside and there's so much to do out there.
We were you know, it felt like a couple of
month vacation really, So yeah, it ended up being really fun.
Then he pitched to me, let's go again. So we
went again. Oh well you went back. Yeah, we went back.
So he came home for O t S and okay,
minicamp and then he was like, I want to go back.
(22:23):
I'm like, we're not going back. We just we just
got home. He was like, no, I want to go back.
So we had a two week old and we flew
to Arizona for another month. So in that little break
in between mini camp and training camp. So do you
think it was worth it? Did it pay off? He's
I mean, he says it did, so that's all that matters.
He was also going through this like really restrictive diet.
(22:45):
So were you guys following that? Was that just a
dad thing where there are multiple meals being made? How
does that work? Yea, So he was on a meal
plan out there where all his meals were delivered. He
only Nick is either all in or not in it
at all. He's either eat exactly the same four meals
a day every day for the next three months, or
let me eat an entire thing of oreos like there
(23:06):
is no in between at all. Um. So he was
on that diet the entire time we were in Arizona,
came home, didn't have the meals obviously because he was
in Arizona, came back to Arizona, had the meals again,
and now he's actually getting them shipped to our house. Wow. Yeah,
that sounds terrible. Honestly, the meals are not terrible, but
(23:26):
just right. My fiance can make three things. It's brown rice, broccoli,
and chicken. So that's like all he eat. And I
was like, that's not gonna work for me for the
next eight years. Well that's three more things than it
can make. So you do scrambled next. Yes, that's like
the one thing because they have to be able to
make breakfast for themselves. So the change of scenery obviously
was nice too. Did you guys spend time with the
(23:48):
Andrews family, Like while you're out there? Was he working
with market at all? He wasn't working out with Mark,
but they did catch a few times. Um played in
our yard. He marked kick the soccer ball around with
BROC few days. Yeah, and they did have us or
for dinner, which was super nice. His parents are so
sweet and welcoming and we're like the grandparents chasing all
my children at while I'm like waddling nine months pregnant
(24:09):
around But now they're super sweet. Martha Andrews was on
the podcast last season. She has great I actually never
met her in person, it was all over zoomed, but
she is great. She is super sweet. Um, so what
is game day like for you? Do you have any superstitions?
Do you have like a routine? I know it's probably
changed as added kids to the mix, but so prior
to kids, you had like well, I should say prior
(24:29):
to COVID because that's the same thing. But Nick's mom
used to do an entire tailgate, I mean down to
raven snapkins, a raven bird on the table, like she
went all out. She's the queen of tailgating. So when
she starts her tail gates back up again, I'm going
to invite you guys. She really is the queen of tailgating.
Has like an entire been of straight tailgates. Um, so
(24:53):
that's what it used to look like. Then we had
kids and COVID we couldn't go for you know, a
couple of years and whatever. Then it got her, So
it's been a little different Now Now it's how fast
can I get Brock dressed, get his shoes on. That's
like an hour event, Um, get him out of the
house because he is obsessed with coming to the games. Him,
um and all his little friends you know, meet at
(25:15):
the games and cheer for daddy and it's it's fun.
I'm excited for this year because I think he'll really Yeah,
and Blakeley was young last year, so she was actually
harder to bring. She wouldn't actually sit and watch. She
just it's a long time I have to ask a
kid to sit, yeah, and stare at something where they
may or may not understand what's happening, right, right, So yeah,
I usually if you feed her snacks though she can
sit for a while, you just keep feeding the snacks.
(25:36):
And I'm the same way. Keep the fries coming anything
you catch up, she'll eat. So girl after my own heart.
Do you think Brock does kind of like understand this
is dad's job. He plays football, Like, is he starting
to get that? Yeah, he definitely is getting that now.
If you ask him why does Daddy have to go
to work, he'll say because if he stops, we'll have
no more money. He tells everybody that. It's hilarious. I'm like,
(26:00):
where did you hear that? Well, that's what Daddy says.
I'm like, okay, fair fair So he um, yeah, he
definitely understands it. And he nick was recently on the
w B A L like intro or whatever. Yeah, like
the promos. Yeah. So, um, he saw him on the
TV the other day and he goes, why Daddy on TV?
I'm like, well, that's his job, you know, And he
(26:21):
just right over his head like he just doesn't understand
why if he sees him on TV, why he's not
playing football? Like so he doesn't really understand that aspect.
But everybody's daddy. If if the Broncos are playing, there's
Daddy on TV. Like, everybody's daddy, anybody in a football jersey.
So you see daddy out there? Yeah, I see daddy.
I'm like, he's not even out there, but okay, we'll
get there, get there. He mostly just wants to see Po. Honestly,
(26:44):
we look for Po the entire game's PO loves Poe.
They're they're either terrified of him or they love Poe.
He never got that close. If he was close, he
probably would be terrified, but far away he loves Po.
Yeah he's cute. Yeah. Um. We talked probably about some
of the hardest moments of his NFL career, at the injuries,
suspensions of going through all those things. What's been the
most rewarding moment of his career for you? I feel
(27:06):
like seeing his first touch on because there was so
much hype like, oh, he hasn't had a touchdown and
no touchdohn Boyle, you know whatever. Um, But seeing his
first touchdown, I was very pregnant, I think with Blakely. Yeah,
I was against the Patriots game. It was a night game,
and I started jumping up down and I was like,
I'm going to pee my pants. My mother and I
was like, you need to sit down. I was so excited,
(27:28):
but yeah, I had to sit down because that could
have ended bad, go into labor. Yeah, something, something bad
could have really happened. But that was definitely the best
just to see that and get that, you know, under
his bault was fun to see and we've talked about
like how carrying both of you are, and something that's
always stopped to me is how involved the two of
you have been in the community here in Baltimore in
your time here. I know COVID has made that challenging,
(27:50):
but do you think that comes from your background as
a nurse, that you've always been really invested in the
community here. Yeah. And I think also going back to
like working, it's I wouldn't say a community job, but
I see a lot of what goes on in the community,
like what the kids have to deal with, then you
know what their home lives are like. And I think
that made me very invested. Um. And then we always
(28:10):
love the Special Olympics UM was in place Place sixty. Yeah, Yeah,
that event was always so fun to go to it
And they'll d m Nick on Instagram. They actually like
we'll talk back and forth like Nick I saw this,
you know, and it's like, oh yeah, man, thanks, Like
he has like made fans through that that are so cute. Um.
But yeah, just seeing that is why we do it,
(28:31):
like making the connection and you know, knowing you're making
a difference in somebody's life is awesome, right, And you
guys also you've just been there for people when they
need it. During the COVID pandemic, like we talked about,
you teamed up with the Maryland Food Bank and you
guys made a donation to provide seventy five thousand meals
for families in the Baltimore area, which is incredible. What
went into that decision? Why did you decide that this
(28:51):
was something that we really need to take action about. Um? Well,
like I said, um working as a nurse, I also
worked at RTC in Timonia, UM and it was school based,
so the kids would go to school there, and I
just saw, you know, how many kids come here nonetheless
with no breakfast, but no lunch, and then thinking about
what they come home for dinner. How a lot of
(29:12):
them you know, are in foster care and the foster
care system and you know everything like that, just seeing
you know, sometimes I would say what did you have
for dinner? And you know, like, oh, my siblings and
I shared a can of soup and like for all
of you, and they'd be like six seven kids, And
just seeing that and knowing that they're not coming to
school to get a meal, it was just tears my
heart up. Um so, always been something close to my heart.
(29:34):
Food And I mean I see how lucky my kids
are and how much they devour food. Thinking about my
kids sharing a can of soup just honestly is puts
everything into perspective. Um. So, yeah, that was super important
to us to do something during that time that. That's awesome.
What is your favorite thing to do as a family
outside of football? What is our favorite thing? We were
(29:55):
just like going places. I feel like getting out the house.
Were like in the house a lot and it's hard
to you put three kids, it really is hard. But
so we we do like to go out. So we
do like hyper kids. Do you know a hyper kid?
It's an indoor playground and knowing smells and it's like
you can run around and like there's slides and stuff
like that. And um going to the park and Nick
(30:16):
and Brock love taking the RC car to the park
to the cars back to the cars. That's their favorite thing.
We have a mule, now a mule, A mule. It's
like the animal, No, no, not the animal you ride
on it. Um, I don't know another word for a
TV okay, okay, but it has like the actual like that. Okay,
that's a mule. Okay, yeah, there's like a like a gator.
(30:37):
I was like, yeah, gator, gator, golf cart, situations, mix
of all those things. Okay, well we've recently got one
of those this offseason. I have no idea why, because
we live in Baltimore County and have less than eight
or land so I don't know why. We circles in
the yard. Literally that's what we do. Circles in the yard.
And there's a small trail that we have to go
through someone else's yard to get to that Knicks does. Anyway, Um,
(31:01):
we got that and that's been a very fun family
activity to go on. The mule the mule the mule.
If you guys don't know what that is, you can
google it. I think we did a very terrible job
explaining I can't even tell you the brand of it.
Maybe Kalasaki, but don't quote me at just google mule Mule.
There you go. Not all right, Um, one last thing
for you before we close. You have this little game
(31:23):
we played in It's called the purple hot seat. This
is a purple chair. It's just quick this or that
one of them is actually not at this or that,
so I kind of lied. But the first one is
night game or one PM game, one PM game, so
my kids can go that's fair, close exciting game or
a blowout win close exciting. See I'm blowout win every time.
I don't like the stress um. This one is tough
(31:46):
a loss, but Nick scores or win, but no touchdown
for Nick. So this is a loaded question because I
only care if Nick plays well. So if he played
well with no touch shown, then I'd go with that one.
But touch Dohn's always cool, So lost and a touch
(32:08):
and your favorite thing to do on an off day
m hang out with Nick. I never get to see him, honestly,
we'd like never get to really spend time. The kids
go to sleep and we're both like in bed at
eight thirty. We are early birds to bed, and so
just hanging out. I just like being around him. It's great, love,
it perfect. Thank you so much for joining me this
(32:28):
is I had so much fun getting to know Christina
Boyle better in this episode. Best believe, I'm going to
tell Nick his wife is a better interviewee than him,
and all seriousness. It's pretty wild to see how much
Nick has grown in his time here. I remember my
first season how nervous Nick would be participating in media obligations.
(32:49):
Christina's even posted photos of him hiding from her camera
on date nights on her Instagram. I'm glad to know
it's not just me now. He may not always enjoy
it and have to fight the ords to roll his
eyes when he sees me coming, but he's truly become
a natural. I loved Christina is sharing with us how
big of a Dorky is at home too. It actually
(33:11):
reminds me of a similar misconception about the Ravens opponent
this week, Mr Joe Flacco himself, as we had to
play the New York Jets this weekend. I only overlapped
with Joe for a few seasons in Baltimore, but I
was always struck by how low key funny he was.
He doesn't get enough credit. Every year, we'd wait with videographers, photographers,
(33:31):
a social team, and external media for guys to report
back to mini camp, training camp, etcetera. And I remember
one camp for QB report day, it was literally only
me waiting outside the player's entrance. When he arrived, Joe
looked at me, looked at my phone, and went we
really consolidated it all down to a phone now, Huh,
We sure did, Joe. Joe was always so kind and gracious,
(33:54):
and I'll always appreciate that as I started out and
gained my footing here, and I'm sure a lot of
his former teammates will be excited to see him this weekend,
and personally, I can't wait to get the season rolling
for my job. Game day is what makes it all
worth it. We'll train up to New York or New
Jersey rather Saturday, which will be a fun switch up
from our normal flights, and I can't wait to tell
(34:15):
you all about it the next time we talk, and
I'll be joined by the Ravens Director of Sports Nutrition,
Sarah Snyder for one of my favorite episodes yet. Don't
forget to leave us a review rate and subscribes. You
get each new episode as it drops. New episodes will
air every other Tuesday. I'll talk to you soon.
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