By Dennis Waszak Jr., AP Sports Writer
Dennis Byrd was an inspiration for far more than anything he ever accomplished on a football field.
He was able to walk again.
And with each step he took toward recovery from paralysis while guided by his always-present faith, Byrd defied doctors’ grim predictions and became a symbol of perseverance and hope.
On Saturday, the former NFL defensive lineman whose career was ended by a neck injury was killed in a car accident. He was 50.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Byrd died in a two-vehicle collision on Oklahoma 88 north of Claremore.