Professional Football Player. Born Dennis DeWayne Byrd, he was a defensive lineman for the National Football League's New York Jets for four seasons (1989-1992) before a neck injury ended his career. He played football collegiately at the University of Tulsa before being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1989 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He was a standout defensive lineman for the Jets, recording 28 sacks and 110 tackles in his first two years. He suffered a severe neck injury during the Jets' game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 29, 1992. At first he wasn't able to walk, but later he regained the ability to walk through extensive physical therapy. He wasn't able to resume his football career and in 1993 the Jets honored him with their Most Inspirational Player Award (later renamed in his honor). The Jets also retired his jersey number 90 in 2012. He later wrote a book "Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd," which described how his faith and his family allowed him to recover and serve as an inspiration to others who went through similar situations. He also became an inspirational speaker and an assistant high school football coach in his home state of Oklahoma. He was killed in a tragic auto accident near Claremore, Oklahoma.
Professional Football Player. Born Dennis DeWayne Byrd, he was a defensive lineman for the National Football League's New York Jets for four seasons (1989-1992) before a neck injury ended his career. He played football collegiately at the University of Tulsa before being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1989 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He was a standout defensive lineman for the Jets, recording 28 sacks and 110 tackles in his first two years. He suffered a severe neck injury during the Jets' game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 29, 1992. At first he wasn't able to walk, but later he regained the ability to walk through extensive physical therapy. He wasn't able to resume his football career and in 1993 the Jets honored him with their Most Inspirational Player Award (later renamed in his honor). The Jets also retired his jersey number 90 in 2012. He later wrote a book "Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd," which described how his faith and his family allowed him to recover and serve as an inspiration to others who went through similar situations. He also became an inspirational speaker and an assistant high school football coach in his home state of Oklahoma. He was killed in a tragic auto accident near Claremore, Oklahoma.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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