If you go to the jets podcast page on espn there is an interview with Byrd from saturday. It is must listen. He explains how this whole thing came to pass.
This is the best fucking news I heard all day. Given how touched Braylon was personally by his speech before the Patriots game I'm going to assume that we'll hear a lot from him about how much more important this game got. Byrd means a lot to this team. I really cannot listen to anyone calling the Jets classless after this. Pittsburgh delenda est.
I cant get over the fact that Dennis Byrd lost a good aspect of his life during his last football game ever; his ability to to walk. I have an uncle, lost his ability to walk when he was only 14 (before I was born). Got into an accident on a 4 wheeler. I've never met a man as strong as my uncle Robert. From what I've heard from family, it took my uncle over 10 years to get strong. I couldn't help but tear up while watching L.T and Richardson carry his jersey out to the 50 yard line. This man has been through a lot. It's amazing that Byrd gave his last jersey to Rex. We really do have greatness in Rex Ryan. I'm not worried about this Steelers game. We have a champion in Byrd fighting in our corner. He's in the hearts of Jet players. We cant be stopped come Sunday. The fight of Dennis Byrd will carry and lead this team to our first championship since 68-69. I hope to see Rex Ryan return the jersey back to Byrd. With a SB ring to go along with it.
Dennis Byrd is the perfect spokesman for SOJ, and by that I don't mean to sound critical. The guy has this calm, softspoken personality, but his message is overpowering because of his personal challenges, those of the franchise, and his faith. After listening to him, you've just got to believe that this team can do it. All the pieces are in place. The time is now to execute and perform. Let's drop 40 years of pent up frustration down on Pittsburgh!
Byrd CAN walk. They told him he never would walk again. That is where he talks about a man's will. It was only a year after he got hurt that he addressed the team and the franchise for the last time until now. He struggled with his crutches up the microphone. He handed the crutches off, and took the last few halting steps to the podium without assistance. The man WILLED himself to recover. That was his message. He BTW, was a pretty freakin good DE too.
Thanks that was terrific. Great guy, and I'm happy he's still very much a part of the Jets family. It's awesome. He's stayed out of the spotlight so it's good to see him healthy. I wonder what lingering effects he has but he looked great standing there. I remember his injury vividly. From my seats in the lower EZ I had a good view of it. What I remember most is thinking that Mersereau took the worst of it, since Byrd's helmet hit him square in the chest. They both looked KO'd, but Dennis couldn't get up.
I'm so glad that Byrd was able to have snack time with the Jets. He's come a long way since that accident. He looks great. He also sounds pretty intelligent, I'm glad the Jets were able to bring him in. As a side note, does anyone know who that ugly firebush behind him was?
it is hard not to get inspired by him. I remember clearly when his injury occurred. This is a great read if you are interested.: http://www.abebooks.com/Rise-Walk-Trial-Triumph-Dennis-Byrd/276758084/bd
It wasn't LT & Richardson. It was LT & Ihedigbo. Digs was the Special Teams Captain for this game. ( F.U. Gronkowski - u are a dirty player)
I cannot wait to see Dennis walk to midfield, he's one of my all-time favroite players and one of the nices people I have ever met. I hope if we win he's on the field w/ the team and I get a chance to meet him again.
Same here!! Just his presence their should be enough motivation for us even if it weren't the AFC Championship game. Just to be able to keep that mental picture of Byrd saying he'd do anything for just one more play.
