Linebacker Returns to Lead Crimson

Work to win.

That’s the motto that senior linebacker Joshua Boyd has adopted during his career at Harvard. And that’s the motto with which he leads the Crimson as the 140th captain of the Harvard football team.

“[It’s] the whole idea of always working hard,” Boyd said. “Work to win and get better.”

The senior embodies this work ethic as he embarks on his fifth and final year with the Crimson. Boyd knows all too well the values of hard work and perseverance.

The Hyde Park, Mass., native was seeing playing time in his first year on the field when his promising freshman campaign was derailed by a broken fibula and tibia in just the third week of the season. After having surgery, Boyd was sidelined for almost the entirety of the year.

“When it happened, I was pretty down on myself,” Boyd said. “It definitely was a dark time, not feeling like I was completely a part of the team, being injured and not being able to practice.”

But the injury set the stage for what would be an exceptional career with the Crimson.

“You definitely have to look at the silver lining,” Boyd said. “[The injury] allowed me the opportunity to come back here for this season. And just going through those tough times, I think it definitely made me stronger.”

Boyd stormed back his sophomore year, appearing in all ten games on Harvard’s 2010 schedule and making a name for himself as one of the top linebackers on the roster.

The following year’s campaign was even better. During his junior season, Boyd racked up 64 tackles and garnered All-Ivy honorable mention honors while helping the Crimson to an Ancient Eight title.

“Every year I just try to build,” Boyd said. “Whether it’s by statistics, by leadership, or just doing the little things better. Whatever way I can better myself, and better the team more importantly, that’s my goal going into the year.”

In the 2012 campaign, Boyd notched a team-high 67 tackles on the season and earned first team All-Ivy and All-New England honors.

Having successfully petitioned for a medical hardship waiver, Boyd returns for one final semester of school and one last season with the Crimson.

Heading into this year, there was little doubt that Boyd, a preseason All-Ivy selection, would be a source of defensive strength for the Crimson. But this time around, Boyd looks to be as much a leader off the field as he as been on it. ­

“I’ve always tried to lead by example during my time here,” Boyd said. “It definitely gives you that extra push during workouts when you’re tired. You know you have to go that extra mile because everyone’s looking at you. As captain of the team, you have to hold everyone accountable and be the hardest working guy.”

Boyd is the third-straight linebacker and ninth-straight defensive player to be named the sole captain of the squad. Having such a close relationship with the captains that preceded him has helped Boyd find his leadership style and shape his role as leader of the team.

“All those [captains] had characteristics that coach Murphy looks for in team leaders and what our overall team identity has to be,” Boyd said. “To be that next guy in line following those guys, it’s just an unbelievable honor.”

“He’s always been a tough, really high-intensity, emotional leader,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy said of Boyd. “Sometimes [it’s] not comfortable for kids to hold their peers accountable and get after them a bit. He’s done a great job. He’s as good at it as anyone we’ve had in a long time.”

With only a handful more games left in his Harvard career, Boyd is ready to lead the Crimson on what he hopes will be a charge to the top of the Ivy League standings.

It’s a season the linebacker will look to savor, both on and off the field.

“You definitely don’t take things for granted as a fifth-year guy,” Boyd said. “Being that ‘old man’ gives you more appreciation for the program. You know this is truly it. There’s definitely that sense of urgency, that I have to get the most out of myself, my teammates, and put it all on the line for these next ten games.”

—Staff writer Brenna R. Nelsen can be reached at brenna.nelsen@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @CrimsonBRN.