About Dennis Byrd
Dennis DeWayne Byrd was an American professional football player who was a defensive end and defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. He played for the Jets for four seasons beginning in 1989. Over his four seasons, he recorded 28 sacks and 110 tackles. His career ended when he was paralyzed following a collision with a teammate during a game. Through rehabilitation, he later managed to walk again. The head-first collision broke his fifth cervical vertebrae and left him unable to walk. The inspired Jets carried his jersey to the coin toss prior to the game; the Jets won 28–21. The Jets switched to a 4–3 defense in 1990, and Byrd became a defensive tackle that season.
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