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Dennis Byrd dies in tragic car crash...


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Dennis Byrd Crash No Obvious Signs Other Driver Was Drunk ... Or Texting

There were no obvious signs the 17-year-old driver who crashed into NY Jets legend Dennis Byrd was drunk or texting at the time of the fatal crash ... law enforcement tells TMZ Sports

50-year-old Byrd was killed when a Ford Explorer slammed into his Hummer H2 at 11:16 AM in Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Cops say the driver of the Ford was a 17-year-old boy -- who had a 12-year-old passenger. Both boys were hospitalized in stable condition. 

Investigators believe the 17-year-old veered across his lane and into oncoming traffic -- colliding with Byrd's car ... and killing him. 

So, why did the car veer in the first place? 

Cops tell TMZ Sports there was nothing at the scene to lead police to believe the 17-year-old was drunk. However, blood was drawn and is being tested to see if there was anything in his system. 

We asked if the driver could have been distracted by his phone at the time of the crash -- we were told, "The driver's phone was off when officers arrived."

Cops are still investigating. 

http://www.tmz.com/2016/10/17/dennis-byrd-crash-no-obvious-signs-other-driver-was-drunk-or-texting-video/

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Dennis Byrd’s Teammates Ask Widow To Donate Ex-Jet’s Brain For CTE Research

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Saying he had grown detached from his closest friends near the end of his life, Dennis Byrd’s ex-teammates are asking the former Jet’s widow to donate his brain for research.

Bryd, 51, was killed Saturday in a car accident in Oklahoma.

Police said the crash happened about 11:15 a.m. between Oologah and Claremore, about 40 minutes northeast of Tulsa. A 17-year-old was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer that veered into the oncoming lane, striking the 2004 Hummer H2 that Byrd was driving, authorities said.

In 1992, Byrd was briefly paralyzed while playing for the Jets when he broke his neck after slamming headfirst into the chest of teammate Scott Mersereau. Byrd never fully recovered from the injury, walking with some difficulty and going through continuous rehabilitation during the years since.

Some of Byrd’s former teammates told ESPN they have suggested to Byrd’s wife, Angie, that she donate his brain to the Boston University clinic that studies the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“To me, it seems like a classic case of CTE, with the mood swings and behavioral issues,” former Jets defensive end Marvin Washington said.

“That wasn’t the Dennis I know and loved; it was the disease he had. I’m just trying to connect the dots.”

Added Jeff Lageman, also a former Jets defensive end: “Even in the early years, he isolated a little. Later on, he definitely got to the farther end of it.”

CTE is caused by concussions and other repeated head injuries. It may cause memory loss, confusion, erratic behavior, depression and dementia.

In 2015, researchers with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University announced they had found CTE in 87 of 91 deceased former NFL players tested. Among those diagnosed with the disease are Hall of Famers Junior Seau, Frank Gifford and Mike Webster.

Meanwhile, the Jets will honor Byrd, who played for the team from 1989-92, by wearing No. 90 helmet decals during Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/10/17/jets-dennis-byrd-teammates-brain-donated/

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DENNIS BYRD OBITUARY

 
10/5/1966 - 10/15/2016| Visit Guest Book
Dennis Byrd (AP Photo / Bill Kostroun)
Dennis Byrd (AP Photo / Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Jets defensive end Dennis Byrd has died in an auto accident, according to ESPN. He was 50.

Byrd was killed in a head-on vehicle collision Oct. 15, 2016, near his home in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed to ESPN. Byrd was pronounced dead at the scene because of massive injuries.

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Byrd was drafted in the second round by the Jets in 1989 out of the University of Tulsa. Though he had a short career, he became a legendary inspirational player for the Jets.

During a game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992, Byrd collided headfirst with his teammate Scott Mesereau. Byrd suffered major damage to his neck and spinal cord, and doctors weren't sure whether he would walk again.

Byrd went through extensive rehabilitation over the next several months. Byrd was able to return for the Jets' opening game the following season and walked slowly by himself to midfield as an honorary captain. Byrd never fully recovered from his injury and had difficulties walking the rest of his life.

Byrd wrote a book in 1993 called "Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd," which described how his faith and his family allowed him to recover and serve as an inspiration to others who went through similar situations. There was also a TV movie about his life that starred Peter Berg.

"We are all devastated by the untimely loss of Dennis Byrd," New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson said in a statement late Saturday. "Soft-spoken and strong-willed, the inspiration he provided to all not only by his play on the field but from the way he overcame life's obstacles was remarkable by any measure."

Byrd was one of the Jets best defensive players during his three-plus seasons with the Jets and recorded 27 sacks. Only two players in Jets history had more sacks during their first three seasons. Byrd’s jersey No. 90 was retired by the team in 2012.
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On 10/15/2016 at 8:49 PM, joewilly12 said:

Damn I was at the game when he was injured Im torn up knowing he overcame being paralyzed to walk again also attended the game he walked on the field and now he's gone.

RIP Dennis Byrd one of the good ones. 

May God bless him and escort him  into heaven. 

Image result for dennis byrd symbol ny jets

You and me both man. I was there too. It was so awesome when he walked back on the field which I was at too. That guy was an inspiration. So incredibly sad to go like this.

 

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