There's no denying that Jordan Poyer's star has brightened considerably since leaving Oregon State in 2013 for pro football.
Into his sixth year in the NFL, Poyer is the starting free safety for Buffalo, a team on the rise after making the 2017 playoffs. Poyer has become somewhat of a social media sensation, as he's married to popular Instagram model Rachel Bush. They have a YouTube series called "The Poyer Family," which co-features their 19-month-old daughter Aliyah.
Life is good for the Poyers, who live during the offseason in Miami.
But at his core, Poyer is still the small-town kid from Astoria who proudly describes the North Oregon coastal town to anyone who asks from Buffalo. Poyer is back in Oregon this week, where he's a groomsman in the wedding of former OSU teammate Kevin Cummings on Friday, then helping run football camps in Astoria and Beaverton on Saturday.
The Jordan Poyer Camp, for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, takes place at CMH Field in Astoria from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is the fourth year for Poyer's camp; it ran from 2014-16, but took last year off because Poyer was unable to attend due to his daughter's birth.
Cost of the camp is $35, and registrations can be made Saturday morning at CMH Field.
Poyer then heads to Mountainside High School in Beaverton, where he'll be on hand for a 7-on-7 tournament that includes 10 high school football teams from Oregon.
"Astoria is definitely in my heart," Poyer said. "I know a lot of people in the area look up to me. It's my responsibility to give back to the kids and hopefully put some money in their pockets and get some new jerseys and sports gear.
"It's where my career started. It's where everything started."
Poyer can easily recall the names of many of his youth and high school coaches, as they had an impact on his life growing up in Astoria. One he particularly remembers is former Astoria baseball coach Dave Gasser, the winningest baseball coach in Oregon high school history.
"I still talk to Dave to this day," Poyer said. "He saw the potential I had. He was always on me to be the best that I can be."
Poyer was a baseball star at Astoria, but football is his love, so he gave up baseball early at Oregon State. He still misses baseball, though. Earlier this summer, Poyer took part in batting practice and shagging fly balls with minor league baseball's Buffalo Bisons.
Saturday is the end of a whirlwind week for Poyer, who must hustle back to Miami for more workouts before heading to New York for Bills training camp on July 26. Poyer landed in Portland on Wednesday night, coming from San Diego, where he spent several days and attended the wedding of another friend.
Poyer keeps tabs on Oregon State football, though it was hard during the Gary Andersen years, as he felt like Andersen didn't have much affection for players of the past. Poyer says that has changed under first-year coach Jonathan Smith, who embraces the program's history.
"He's really egging me on to come back and show my face around the facility," Poyer said.
It won't happen this trip. Told the Beavers open Sept. 1 against Ohio State, Poyer says he's already looking forward to an upset in Columbus that will make for good Bills locker room conversation with a couple of his Buckeye teammates.
Landing in Buffalo a year ago renewed Poyer's spirit toward the game. Prior to the Bills, Poyer spent four years in Cleveland that seemed like 40.
"You're getting toward the end of the year and you're 3-10 and have seven straight losses, it was hard to stay motivated. Tough to keep the love in the game in your heart," Poyer said of Cleveland. "That's when I got to Buffalo and now I've got that winning feeling. I know what it takes. I know how a playoff team works."
Life is good for Poyer. He's starting the second year of a four-year deal with Buffalo. Earlier this year, Poyer married Rachel Bush, who has an international following as an Instagram model. Poyer has embraced their public life on social media.
Poyer says social media platforms have opened up new opportunities, because "you never know who is watching." On the other hand, there is blowback to a very public life. It's a risk Poyer accepts.
"You learn from the positive and you learn from the negative. I'm not here to impress Joe Schmoe. I'm here for the person who respects me and my family," Poyer said. "I've heard the worst. I mean, I was in Cleveland for four years."
As Poyer has already exceeded the average career length for an NFL player, he's thought about a post-football career. He'd like to coach or open a gym and become a trainer. Poyer has considered writing a book about his personal story.
Though Astoria is dear to Poyer, he doubts he'll someday return to live in town.
"Unless someday they want me to be mayor, then yeah," Poyer said.
-- Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel