FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Dennis Byrd completed his shirt old, torn - one cut from his body - more than 18 years ago and sent to the New York Jets coach Rex Ryan as a gift.
A few days later, Byrd was ahead of the Jets and always that receiver Braylon Edwards asked Twitter "the most inspirational message of my life".
Dennis Byrd played for Jets from 1989 to 1992, when he was paralyzed temporarily during a game. (Eric Miller/Associated Press)Byrd, recovered to walk again after breaking his neck in a game, gave a speech movement the Saturday night onsite team as the Jets ready for his playoff against rival this AFC game New England Patriots.
The former defensive end "Is then men to put this stamp which is supposed to be, everyone thought they could be," said Sunday his message to the team. "This is the time." There are those moments where you have to respond to this challenge. This is the. "This is the current game, the only one that counts most."
Still inspired by Byrd speech, toss Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson and safety James Ihedigbo carried a green shirt and white not. 90 to the center of the field for the currency of opening. Original t-shirt, the last used by Byrd and sent him to Ryan, Wednesday, hanged in locker room Jets prior.
"Has been in my heart for a long time send the jersey that was cut from me when I had my injury 18, just send it back", said Byrd. "Them I have honored by not returning to broadcast that number, and it is a great honour." I wanted to return it and that is what it is. Where was and that life was, we will see. "Ryan coach received so well."
Byrd career ended in 1992, when he collided with teammate Scott Mersereau during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving him paralyzed temporarily. Three months after breaking the C-5 in his neck vertebra Byrd walked on crutches to a conference press in its hospital in Manhattan.
The following season, Byrd walked the midfield in the strip itself to the currency, as the crowd at the Meadowlands gave him a standing ovation. Most inspirational Player award is named in honor of Byrd, with Tomlinson won this season.
Ryan, called the Sunday's game against the Patriots "the second largest in the history of the franchise", normally addresses the night before Games team. Usually give emotional speeches, agitation, but this time coach intervened in one hand and showed the best moments of Byrd career of what you speak.
"As God is my witness, have never been more ready to make in my life," Edwards tweeted. "Dennis Byrd, respect, acknowledge and honour him."
Byrd spoke with the team of over 15 minutes before mixing with players and coaches.
"When I was speaking with them, initially, were so quiet that was a little nervous that, ' this is falling flat." This doesn't work,'", said Byrd." "Sometimes it happens that you have the attention of the public." I did not enter into panic. "Visit with the men and coaches, is easy to see that he had had been really looking forward to for".
Byrd, 44 walks with a pronounced limp, said it is "retired" and lives with his wife and their four children on her Ranch in Oklahoma. He said that he had rooted for the team as his career ended and still considered himself a Jet.
"Are the colors that I have ever used", said. "I live a quiet life, but also have a TV at home." I have followed every game, followed by all players. "Has been a joy to see."
Byrd said he and Ryan, who was born in Oklahoma, immediately connected and he was happy when the coach was hired more than two years ago.
"I love to see him as a coach", said Byrd. "He understands the importance of this sort of thing." I was delighted to see that when he was hired coach Ryan, his attitude, his pedigree, the way in which trains and how aggressive are. "I didn't know how many games the Jets would win, but I know they will not lose any fights."
Byrd wrote a book about his story called "Rise and Walk," which later became a television movie.
Byrd was a second round of the Draft of the Tulsa Jets in 1989. He had 28 sacks, including 13 in 1990 in four NFL seasons.
"Last night was not the time for speeches rah rah and prepares the world tonight game", said Byrd. "Last night was to understand the nuances of athletic competition, which is currently capturing this moment and not let that slip through their fingers." It will be a point in the future when their children are born when their children are married, to appreciate and enjoy such things is priceless.
"This is not the time." "Now is the time when you defined for that next step, beating an opponent who is challenging for you and make a statement."
2011 Of copyright by the associated press
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