Dennis Byrd, a former New York Jets defensive lineman who made an inspiring recovery from paralysis after a career-ending neck injury in 1992, died Saturday in a two-vehicle crash near Claremore, Oklahoma, the Tulsa World reported. Byrd was 50.
A 17-year-old boy driving a sport utility vehicle veered into the oncoming lane at about 11:15 a.m., striking an SUV driven by Byrd, who was pronounced dead at the scene, the World reported.
Against the Chiefs, on Nov. 29, 1992, Byrd and a teammate, Scott Mersereau, collided while chasing Kansas City quarterback Dave Krieg. Byrd broke a bone in his spine and could not move his lower body.