Former Defensive Tackle for the New York Jets
Book Dennis Byrd For
Corporate Appearances, Speaking Engagements, Autograph Signings, Endorsements, VIP Meet & Greets, Store Grand Openings
Book Dennis Byrd for a Speaking Engagement
Businesses, Non-profit organizations, event planners and companies across the country have worked closely with our booking agents to hire Dennis Byrd for a speaking engagements, guest appearances, product endorsements and corporate events. Many of those same clients have continued to turn to our speakers bureau as we can easily align Dennis Byrd’s availability with their upcoming seminar, gala, annual conference, corporate function, and grand opening. Our close relationship with Dennis Byrd’s booking agent and management team further enables us to provide inquiring clients with Dennis Byrd’s speaking fee and appearance cost.
If your goal is to hire Dennis Byrd to be your next keynote speaker or to be the next brand ambassador our celebrity speakers bureau can assist. If Dennis Byrd’s booking fee is outside your companies budget or your unable to align with his appearance availability, our booking agents can provide you a list of talent that aligns with your event theme, budget and event date.
Dennis Byrd was born on October 5, 1966 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and is a former defensive end and defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He attended college at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He played professionally for the Jets for four seasons beginning in 1989. In his first two seasons, he recorded 20 sacks and 110 tackles.
Byrd suffered a neck injury during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 29, 1992. During the play, he rushed in an attempt to sack Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg, but Krieg stepped up to avoid the tackle, and Byrd collided with fellow Jets teammate Scott Mersereau. Byrd ducked his head at the last moment before he collided with Mersereau's chest. The head-first collision resulted in a broken C-5 vertebra that left Byrd unable to walk for the time being. Eventually, after extensive physical therapy, Byrd would walk again but he couldn't go back to playing football.
During his recovery, the Jets briefly used an ikhthus logo bearing his old #90. In addition, some members (mainly offensive linemen) from the Buffalo Bills also wore the ikhthus logo as a sign of support (the first game following Byrd's injury was against the Bills).
Byrd returned to the Meadowlands for the Jets' home opener on September 5, 1993, walking to midfield as an honorary captain for the coin toss. During a halftime ceremony, Jets president Steve Gutman presented him with a trophy for the Most Inspirational Player Award, which would thereafter be called the Dennis Byrd Award.
No Jet has worn #90 since Byrd; although it has not been formally retired.
He is the co-author of an autobiographical work titled Rise and Walk: The Trial and Triumph of Dennis Byrd and the subject of a made for television film Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story. Peter Berg played Byrd in the movie. He currently lives in Tulsa with his wife, the former Angela Hales, and their four children.
Byrd has spent most of the last several years traveling across the country and sharing his life story. He served as defensive line coach at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma and later at Lincoln Christian School in Tulsa. Lincoln Christian's football stadium is named for him.
Read More About Dennis Byrd
Let our team of booking agents help create a memorable experience with hiring Dennis Byrd for your store grand opening, golf outing, trade show booth or corporate outing.
NOPACTalent acts as a Celebrity Speakers Bureau and Athlete Booking agency for corporate functions, appearances, private events and speaking engagements. NOPACTalent does not claim or represent itself as Dennis Byrd’s speakers bureau, agent, manager or management company for Dennis Byrd or any celebrity on this website. NOPACTalent represents organizations seeking to hire motivational speakers, athletes, celebrities and entertainers for private corporate events, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and speaking engagements.
