Fighting back tears and surrounded by some of his former teammates, Dennis Byrd walked to the middle of the MetLife Stadium field in East Rutherford, N.J., as his No. 90 jersey was retired by the New York Jets.
Byrd, briefly paralyzed 20 years ago in a game against Kansas City, became the fifth former Jets player to receive the honor Sunday — joining Joe Namath, Don Maynard, Joe Klecko and Curtis Martin.
“What an amazing honor,” Byrd told the fans, nearly all of them standing. “Thank you so much.”
Before the game, Byrd was introduced as the final member of New York’s defense, walking out of the tunnel as his name was announced and greeted by the entire team in the end zone.
He stood on the sideline during the national anthem and walked arm-in-arm with center Nick Mangold to midfield as the honorary captain for the coin toss.
Byrd was injured Nov. 29, 1992, when he broke his neck after slamming headfirst into the chest of teammate Scott Mersereau against Kansas City when quarterback David Krieg stepped forward to avoid a sack. After a vigorous rehabilitation, Byrd returned to the Meadowlands for the opener the following season and walked to midfield as an honorary captain.
Mersereau was among the former teammates to join Byrd at halftime, as well as Freeman McNeil, Bill Pickel and Marty Lyons. Mersereau introduced Byrd to the crowd, saying the most touching moment of his life came when he visited Byrd in the hospital and his teammate — unable to walk — told him “Angie and I have been worried about you.”
With his wife and their four children watching from a few feet away, Byrd — wearing a green No. 90 jersey — told the fans how much his teammates meant to him and how they and his family have helped him recover. He still walks gingerly and recently said he still has some frustrating days, but is getting better every day.
QUINN HURT, CASSEL IN
Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn is being evaluated for what the team called a “head injury” after leaving in the first half of their game against Oakland in Kansas City, Mo.
Quinn was starting in place of Matt Cassel, who was benched after a weak start to the season but entered the game when Quinn got hurt.
Quinn was hit hard on a sack by Rolando McClain on the Chiefs’ third possession, and then took another shot when he threw an interception. Cassel entered the game for the Chiefs’ next series.
Cassel sustained a concussion three weeks ago against Baltimore and missed a game at Tampa Bay before getting benched.
EXTRA POINTS
Cowboys linebacker Dan Connor did not return after halftime of the game against the Giants because of a neck strain. Also in that game, New York lost starting linebacker Chase Blackburn in the second half due to a left hamstring injury. … Broncos cornerback Tracy Porter was out his second consecutive game because of symptoms he continues to have following a seizure he had in August. … The Colts lost cornerback Vontae Davis to a sprained left knee in a game versus the Titans. … Chiefs running back Nate Eachus left the game against Oakland with a head injury.
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