FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) – The New York Jets carried Dennis Byrd’s jersey to midfield before their playoff victory in New England.
This Sunday, Byrd will walk with the Jets players as their honorary captain for the coin toss before the AFC championship game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.
The former Jets defensive end’s career ended in 1992, when he collided with a teammate in a game, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. He learned to walk again, and Byrd sent coach Rex Ryan the No. 90 jersey that was torn from his torso more than 18 years ago as an inspirational gift.
Byrd then spoke to the team the night before the Jets beat the Patriots 28-21, a speech Braylon Edwards called “the most inspirational message of my life.”
Add A Comment