Jairus Byrd
{{Short description|American football player (born 1986)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jairus Byrd
| image = Jairus Byrd Saints 2015 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Byrd with the New Orleans Saints in 2015
| current_team =
| number = 31
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|10|7|mf=y}}
| birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 203
| high_school = Clayton {{nowrap|(Clayton, Missouri)}}
| college = Oregon (2005–2008)
| draftyear = 2009
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 42
| pastteams =
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2009}}−{{NFL Year|2013}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2017}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2012, 2013)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2009, 2012, 2013)
- NFL interceptions co-leader (2009)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2009)
- Pac-10 Co-Freshman of the Year (2006)
- First-team All-Pac-10 (2008)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 524
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 4.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 13
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 6
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 25
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 2
| pfr = ByrdJa99
}}
Jairus Keelon Byrd (born October 7, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Early life
Byrd attended Clayton High School in St. Louis County, Missouri. He played quarterback, wide receiver, safety and special teams. As a senior, he was the Missouri 4A offensive player of the year and played a large role in leading the school to the 2004 state championship. As a senior, he rushed for 1,480 yards with 26 touchdowns, passed for 1,038 yards with 13 touchdowns, and made six receptions for 125 yards on offense. On defense, he had 71 tackles, seven interceptions, three quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also had 10 kickoff returns, 15 punt returns, and 18 punts. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track.
College career
Byrd enrolled in the University of Oregon, where he played for the Oregon Ducks football team. As a freshman in 2005, Byrd was red-shirted. In 2006 Byrd was a freshman All-American second-team selection by The Sporting News and was the Pac-10 co-freshman player of the year (alongside Taylor Mays and Alterraun Verner). He started the last 11 games at cornerback, recording 56 tackles and five interceptions.
As a sophomore in 2007 Byrd was an All-Pac-10 conference honorable mention. He started all 13 games for the Ducks, recording 64 tackles, a sack, and a conference leading seven interceptions. As a junior in 2008 he was an all-Pac 10 first-team selection and was the defensive MVP of the 2008 Holiday Bowl. He started 13 games and finished with 83 tackles and five interceptions.
Byrd finished his college career starting 37 of 39 games, with 203 tackles, 17 interceptions, a sack, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
After the season Byrd announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL draft.[https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=3837163 Oregon's Byrd to enter NFL draft]
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/8
| weight = 207
| dash = 4.68
| ten split = 1.53
| twenty split = 2.68
| shuttle = 4.10
| cone drill = 6.75
| vertical = 35.0
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench = 15
| arm span = 32 5/8
| hand span = 10 1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Oregon Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jairus-byrd/32004259-5244-9897-1138-fe44fad659f1 |title=Jairus Byrd Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 22, 2022}}{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=68036&DraftYear=2009 |title=2009 Draft Scout Jairus Byrd, Oregon NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=July 22, 2022}}
}}
=Buffalo Bills=
The Buffalo Bills selected Byrd in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2009 NFL draft. Byrd was the third safety drafted in 2009, behind Patrick Chung and Louis Delmas.{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
On July 29, 2009, the Buffalo Bills signed Byrd to a four-year, $4.15 million contract that includes $2.47 million guaranteed.{{cite web |title=Overthecap.com: Jairus Byrd contract |url=https://overthecap.com/player/jairus-byrd/233 |access-date=August 13, 2018 |website=Overthecap.com}}{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Jairus Byrd contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/jairus-byrd-5496/ |access-date=August 13, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}
After spending the first couple of games as a backup, Byrd started his first career game at free safety against the Miami Dolphins due to injuries to both the Bills starting safeties Donte Whitner and Bryan Scott.[http://www.buffalonews.com/452/story/812133.html Bills prepare Byrd for solo flight] He finished the game with three tackles. In his second start the next week Byrd recorded his first career interception off of Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns. Starting for the third straight week, Byrd recorded two more interceptions off Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets bringing his total to three.[http://www.buffalonews.com/452/story/832060.html Rookie Byrd takes flight with two picks] The next week against the Carolina Panthers, Byrd had his second straight game of two interceptions, both of them coming off Jake Delhomme, bringing his total to five.[http://blog.oregonlive.com/nfl/2009/10/byrd_of_prey_buffalo_rookie_sa.html Byrd of prey: Buffalo rookie safety Jairus Byrd gets two more interceptions during a 20-9 win at Carolina] For his play, he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October.{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/A-league-honor-for-Byrd/02cece94-f874-40e9-85f4-c3bf30216131 |title=A league honor for Byrd |access-date=October 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202190733/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/A-league-honor-for-Byrd/02cece94-f874-40e9-85f4-c3bf30216131 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
In Week 8 against the Houston Texans, Byrd recorded two interceptions for the third consecutive week, bringing his total to seven. This tied an NFL record held by Dave Baker for consecutive games with two or more interceptions with three.[http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d813d9ec4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true Bills rookie Byrd matches NFL-record multi-interception streak] After the Bills bye week Byrd intercepted his eighth pass of the season off of Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans. This was his fifth straight game with an interception, setting the team record for consecutive games with an interception.{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/Notebook-Byrd-is-again-the-word/62acd062-9cf1-4d79-a2c6-b0f9b4afaead |title=Notebook: Byrd is again the word |access-date=November 17, 2009 |archive-date=November 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117234549/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/Notebook-Byrd-is-again-the-word/62acd062-9cf1-4d79-a2c6-b0f9b4afaead |url-status=dead }} He intercepted his ninth pass of the season off of Matt Cassel of the Kansas City Chiefs.
On December 23, 2009, Byrd was placed on season ending injured reserve.[https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/8141/byrd-lands-on-ir-could-lose-int-title Byrd lands on IR, could lose INT title] He finished the season starting 11 of 14 games, recording 45 tackles and nine interceptions. The nine interceptions were tied for the league lead and was five more than any other rookie had.[http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=0&statisticCategory=INTERCEPTIONS&conference=null&season=2009&seasonType=REG NFL.com 2009 interception leaders][http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticCategory=INTERCEPTIONS&season=2009&seasonType=REG&experience=0&tabSeq=0&qualified=true&Submit=Go NFL.com rookie interception stats] For his play, he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl, becoming the first Bills rookie to be selected to play in a Pro Bowl since Greg Bell in 1984.{{Cite web |url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/Byrd-named-to-AFC-Pro-Bowl-squad/c5bbf510-6672-47cf-b685-693c3cd20af1 |title=Byrd named to AFC Pro Bowl squad |access-date=December 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305212032/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/Byrd-named-to-AFC-Pro-Bowl-squad/c5bbf510-6672-47cf-b685-693c3cd20af1 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }} However, he was unable to play and was replaced by Brandon Meriweather. He was also a member of the Sporting News all-rookie team.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2010-01-14/sporting-news-2009-nfl-all-rookie-team |title=Sporting News 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team |access-date=January 20, 2010 |archive-date=June 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620095414/http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2010-01-14/sporting-news-2009-nfl-all-rookie-team |url-status=dead }}
On March 1, 2013, the Bills placed their franchise tag on Byrd after he was originally designated to become a free agent after the 2012 season.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jairus-byrd-designated-with-buffalo-bills-franchise-tag-0ap1000000146239|title=Jairus Byrd designated with Buffalo Bills' franchise tag|first=Marc|last=Sessler|date=March 1, 2013|access-date=March 2, 2013}} On August 20, 2013, Byrd signed his $6.9 million franchise tender.{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jairus-byrd-ends-bills-holdout-signs-franchise-tender-0ap1000000232265 |title=Jairus Byrd ends Bills holdout, signs franchise tender |last=Hanzus |first=Dan |date=August 20, 2013 |website=NFL.com |access-date=August 21, 2013}} Despite signing the tender, reports were released that he wanted the Bills to trade him.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|first=Marc|last=Sessler|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jairus-byrd-reportedly-wants-buffalo-bills-to-trade-him-0ap1000000238562|title=Jairus Byrd reportedly wants Buffalo Bills to trade him|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=November 24, 2013}} Byrd's tenure with the Bills ended after the team and his agents failed to agree on a long-term deal following the 2013 season. In five seasons with Buffalo, Byrd intercepted 22 passes and forced 11 fumbles, also making three Pro Bowl appearances.{{Cite web |title=Report: Bills' talks with Byrd reach standstill |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10541752/buffalo-bills-talks-jairus-byrd-reach-standstill |date=2014-03-02 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |access-date=2020-05-31}}
=New Orleans Saints=
On March 11, 2014, Byrd agreed to a six-year, $56 million contract including $28 million guaranteed with the New Orleans Saints.[https://www.nfl.com/news/jairus-byrd-saints-agree-on-six-year-56m-contract-0ap2000000333219 Jairus Byrd, New Orleans Saints agree on six-year contract] Byrd played in the Saints' first 4 games of the 2014 season, but then suffered a torn lateral meniscus knee ligament during practice on October 2, 2014; the following day, the team announced Byrd would be placed on season-ending injured reserve.Gregg Rosenthal, [https://web.archive.org/web/20141006034658/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000404737/article/saints-place-jairus-byrd-on-seasonending-ir "Saints place Jairus Byrd (meniscus) on injured reserve"], NFL.com, October 3, 2014.
On March 10, 2017, Byrd was released by the Saints.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=http://www.neworleanssaints.com/news-and-events/article-1/New-Orleans-Saints-announce-roster-moves/7424d63f-172b-46ae-9fe3-26fc5d6635fa|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=March 10, 2017}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On October 3, 2017, Byrd was signed by the Carolina Panthers.{{cite web|title=Panthers sign safety Jairus Byrd|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-sign-safety-Jairus-Byrd/a2c1649b-e3d9-4fe0-bda8-6f9ce1cea4e4|website=Panthers.com|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003225246/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-sign-safety-Jairus-Byrd/a2c1649b-e3d9-4fe0-bda8-6f9ce1cea4e4|url-status=dead}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | {{tooltip|GP|Games played}} | {{tooltip|COMB|Combined tackles}} | {{tooltip|TOTAL|Total tackles}} | {{tooltip|AST|Assisted tackles}} | {{tooltip|SACK|Sacks}} | {{tooltip|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{tooltip|FR|Fumble recoveries}} | {{tooltip|FR YDS|Fumble return yards}} | {{tooltip|INT|Interceptions}} | {{tooltip|IR YDS|Interception return yards}} | {{tooltip|AVG IR|Average interception return}} | {{tooltip|LNG|Longest interception return}} | {{tooltip|TD|Interceptions returned for touchdown}} | {{tooltip|PD|Passes defensed}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 || BUF
| 14 || 45 || 33 || 12 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 118 || 13 || 37 || 0 || 11 | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 || BUF
| 16 || 89 || 62 || 27 || 1.0 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 37 || 37 || 37 || 1 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2011 || BUF
| 16 || 98 || 75 || 23 || 1.0 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 3 || 88 || 29 || 37 || 1 || 8 | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 || BUF
| 16 || 76 || 53 || 23 || 0.0 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 5 || 81 || 16 || 45 || 0 || 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 || BUF
| 11 || 48 || 37 || 11 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 85 || 21 ||57 || 0 || 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 || NO
| 4 || 22 || 17 || 5 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015 || NO
| 13 || 53 || 37 || 16 || 1.0 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 24 || 24 || 24 || 0 || 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 || NO
| 16 || 82 || 56 || 26 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 35 || 17 || 24 || 0 || 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 || CAR
| 12 || 11 || 9 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | Career | 118 | 524 | 379 | 145 | 4.0 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 25 | 468 | 19 | 57 | 2 | 41 |
Personal life
His father, Gill Byrd, played in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1992, and was the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills for the 2017-18 season. He is currently the passing game coordinator/safeties coach at the University of Illinois.{{cite web|title=GILL BYRD JOINS LOVIE SMITH'S ILLINOIS STAFF|url=http://fightingillini.com/news/2018/2/20/football-gill-byrd-named-illini-safeties-coach.aspx|website=fightingillini.com|access-date=March 10, 2018|date=February 23, 2018}}
Byrd is cousins with Richard Rodgers.{{Cite web |last=Dunne |first=Tyler |date=May 18, 2014 |title=Packers rookie Richard Rodgers Jr. learned football from dad |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-rookie-richard-rodgers-jr-learned-football-from-dad-b99272747z1-259742551.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005411/http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-rookie-richard-rodgers-jr-learned-football-from-dad-b99272747z1-259742551.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=JSOnline.com}} His uncle is Richard Rodgers Sr.
Byrd is a Christian.{{cite web|title=Faith|url=http://www.jairusbyrd31.com/about/faith/|access-date=April 26, 2014|archive-date=April 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426202007/http://www.jairusbyrd31.com/about/faith/|url-status=dead}} He also sponsors two children through Compassion International.{{cite web|title=Compassion International|url=http://www.jairusbyrd31.com/charities/compassion/|access-date=April 26, 2014|archive-date=April 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201608/http://www.jairusbyrd31.com/charities/compassion/|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [http://jairusbyrd31.com/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201237/http://jairusbyrd31.com/ |date=April 26, 2014 }}
- [http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/roster/Jairus-Byrd/a9b6e157-9af9-4bc7-a2d8-ac0e269945e6 New Orleans Saints bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312213358/http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/roster/Jairus-Byrd/a9b6e157-9af9-4bc7-a2d8-ac0e269945e6 |date=March 12, 2014 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090916174139/http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster/Jairus-Byrd/48488e58-c1d9-49f9-9b3d-557c6380565f Buffalo Bills bio]
- [http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=175543 Oregon Ducks bio]
{{Pac-12 Player of the Year}}
{{Bills2009DraftPicks}}
{{NFL season interception leaders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrd, Jairus}}
Category:Players of American football from San Diego
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:Oregon Ducks football players
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players