Born in Ogden, Utah, Nye played football at Servite High School in Anaheim, California, and graduated in 1964.

In 1970, he was named the starter at right guard, between future Hall of Famer offensive tackle Rayfield Wright and center Dave Manders.

[4] Nye helped anchor a dominant offensive line that led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls.

Nye retired at the end of the 1976 season (after the Pro Bowl in January) and was replaced by Tom Rafferty.

Its first rule, "Thou Shalt Not Seek Publicity," kept its members (Nye, Larry Cole, and Pat Toomay) out of the limelight.

In 1981, Nye founded Stanford Consulting Group, Inc.[8] He performs numerous economic analyses and research, and provides expert testimony in multiple areas including securities litigation, intellectual property, business litigation, damages, and insurance economics.