Barbershopman
TMF Master
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
- Messages
- 841
- Points
- 18
Dennis Byrd, the former New York Jets defensive lineman was killed in a car accident over the weekend.
In 1992 in a game against my Chiefs, he collided with a teammate and was paralyzed when he broke his 5th cervical vertebra on the play.
Through extensive physical therapy he regained the ability to walk again.
In 2011, he sent then Jets head coach Rex Ryan the jersey that was cut from his body the day of the injury as an inspiration for the playoff game against the Patriots. Ryan was so moved by the gesture, He asked Byrd to speak to the team before the game and according to eyewitnesses, you could hear a pin drop in the room and afterward, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He walked onto the field that day and participated in the coin toss. The Jets won the game 28-21. The jersey now resides in the Jets Hall of Fame.
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As for the injury, he never asked "Why me?". Instead, he once gave an interview and stated that he used the injury and his strong faith to be an inspiration to others.
Thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids and to the Jets organization. Gone too soon.
Barbershopman
In 1992 in a game against my Chiefs, he collided with a teammate and was paralyzed when he broke his 5th cervical vertebra on the play.
Through extensive physical therapy he regained the ability to walk again.
In 2011, he sent then Jets head coach Rex Ryan the jersey that was cut from his body the day of the injury as an inspiration for the playoff game against the Patriots. Ryan was so moved by the gesture, He asked Byrd to speak to the team before the game and according to eyewitnesses, you could hear a pin drop in the room and afterward, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He walked onto the field that day and participated in the coin toss. The Jets won the game 28-21. The jersey now resides in the Jets Hall of Fame.
.
As for the injury, he never asked "Why me?". Instead, he once gave an interview and stated that he used the injury and his strong faith to be an inspiration to others.
Thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids and to the Jets organization. Gone too soon.
Barbershopman
