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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.The Tulsa World first reported Byrds death. He starred at Mustang High School outside Oklahoma City and then at the University of Tulsa before playing for the New York Jets.We extend our sincere condolences to Dennis wife, Angela, their children and the entire Byrd family, said Dr. Derrick Gragg, Tulsas athletic director. Dennis exemplified true determination, tremendous heart and humility throughout his life. He had a tremendous playing career at TU and professionally with the New York Jets. He overcame great personal adversity after a life-altering injury on the football field.We know that Dennis touched numerous lives and will be missed by many.The Oologah-Talala Emergency Medical Services said the crash happened at about 11 a.m. between Oologah and Claremore. It said a 17-year-old Claremore youth driving a 2000 Ford Explorer northbound on Oklahoma 88 veered into the oncoming lane, striking the 2004 Hummer H2 that Byrd was driving.Byrd, who had returned to his home in Talala in recent years, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the 17-year-old driver and a 12-year-old passenger in Byrds vehicle were taken in critical condition to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Byrd was a second-round draft pick of the Jets in 1989 and quickly became a fan favorite for his intensity on the field as much as his humble, soft-spoken approach off it.He was considered one of the NFLs promising young defensive ends during his first three seasons, racking up 27 sacks -- a mark that only two players in franchise history surpassed: Mark Gastineau with 33 1/2 from 1979-81 and John Abraham with 27 1/2 from 2000-02.Byrd had one sack midway through his fourth season when his life was changed during a game on Nov. 29, 1992, against Kansas City.He broke his neck after slamming headfirst into the chest of teammate Scott Mersereau as Chiefs quarterback David Krieg stepped forward to avoid a sack. The impact broke the C-5 vertebra in Byrds neck, leaving him briefly paralyzed, although doctors were uncertain if Byrd would ever be able to walk again.After a vigorous rehabilitation over the next several months, Byrd returned to the Meadowlands for the Jets opening game the following season and walked -- gingerly but unaided -- to midfield as an honorary captain.He never fully recovered from the injury, walking with some difficulty and going through continuous rehabilitation during the years since. But Byrd, a devout Christian, wrote a book in 1993 called Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd, which detailed how he relied on his faith and family to push through his injury to recover and serve an inspiration to others who went through similar situations.Byrds story was later made into a made-for-TV movie, with actor-director Peter Berg playing him.During the 2010 season, Byrd sent then-Jets coach Rex Ryan the No. 90 jersey that had been torn from his torso on the field after the collision as an inspirational gift.As a guest of the team, Byrd delivered a moving speech to the Jets at their hotel the night before a 28-21 playoff victory over the New England Patriots -- during which the Jets had hung Byrds jersey in their locker room.Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and safety James Ihedigbo also carried out a green and white No. 90 jersey to midfield for the coin toss before the game. Many Jets players credited Byrds speech for helping motivate them to the victory.Hearing about his story for the first time really makes you understand how fortunate we are and how fragile your career is, quarterback Mark Sanchez said at the time. These moments you have on the plane, hanging around in the locker room, having fun with guys, going to eat, playing on the field, its pretty special. It can end at any moment. That was just a good reminder for us of how fortunate we are.No Jets player has worn No. 90 since Byrd, and on Oct. 28, 2012, the team honored him at halftime of its game against Miami by making him the fifth player in franchise history to have his number retired.Mersereau introduced Byrd to the crowd, saying the most touching moment of his life came when he visited Byrd in the hospital and his teammate -- unable to walk at that time -- told him: Angie and I have been worried about you.Flanked by wife Angela and their four children, along with several of his former teammates, Byrd fought back tears while he was given a standing ovation by the fans at MetLife Stadium.I learned to be a man in Oklahoma, Byrd said, and I grew to be a man in New York.Every year, a Jets player is selected by his teammates to receive the Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational Player award.I really have loved coaching football and working with kids, talking about the lessons Ive learned as an athlete and the journey as someone with a disability, Byrd said in 2012. Football has always been, for me, a cornerpost of strength and a way to accomplish things in life, whether its on the field or just in maintaining a quality of life. All those lessons -- dedication, perseverance, teamwork -- they all dovetail nicely into living a blessed life.---Associated Press Writer Jeff McMurray in Chicago and AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.---Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Air Max 97 China . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Fake Nike Air Max 97 . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. https://www.fakeairmax97wholesale.com/ . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Cyber Monday Nike Air Max 97 .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Nike Air Max 97 Outlet . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Justin Holman threw for two touchdowns and ran in another, Matthew Wright kicked a career-best four field goals, and Central Florida plowed past South Carolina State 38-0 in the season opener for both teams Saturday night.Holman was 14-of-28 for 193 yards and picked up another 40 on the ground, including a 10-yard keeper he ran in for the games first touchdown. He later hauled in a 24-yard pass from receiver Tristan Payton, which set up his 37-yard TD strike to Tre`Quuan Smith on the next play.ddddddddddddDontravious Wilson punched in a touchdown from the 1, and Payton cemented the final score with a 5-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter. Central Florida converted two of SC States three turnovers into points.Caleb York finished 15 of 35 for 134 yards passing, and led Bulldog rushers as well with 10 carries for 38 yards. ' ' '