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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 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, then-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-NFLCheap Air Max 90 Mens .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Fake Air Max 270 . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. http://www.airmaxsneakersonsale.com/cheap-air-max-tn.html . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Nike Air Max Cheap Wholesale . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Fake Air Max 90 . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.CALGARY, Alberta -- The New York Rangers have been a perfect fit for the speedy Michael Grabner.Grabner and Derek Stepan scored in the first period, Henrik Lundqvist stopped 35 shots, and the high-scoring Rangers beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 Saturday night.Grabners team-leading eighth goal 6:32 in the first period gave New York a 1-0 lead. It came on an innocent-looking 2-on-1 rush when his 40-foot wrister beat Brian Elliott on the glove side. In just 15 games, Grabner -- who signed with the Rangers in the offseason -- is just one goal shy of his total in 80 games with Toronto last year.Got off to a good start, got some confidence going and that makes life a little bit easier, the 29-year-old Austrian said. Its been working in my favor the systems here. A lot of guys that can skate here, were trying to keep the game fast and thats obviously my kind of style.Jimmy Vesey and Pavel Buchnevich also scored for New York, which has won six of seven. The Rangers lead the NHL with 62 goals.Its impressive to see how we create chances every game, Lundqvist said. Sometimes its tough against different lineups, different systems, but weve been able to create a lot of scoring chances. Even the games we havent scored a lot weve had a lot of chances to do so.Asked if he thought the Rangers were the better team despite being outshot 36-28, New York coach Alain Vigneault said.: In the first two periods there was no doubt. We were able to create a couple turnovers, counter attack quickly, and we were able to capitalize on our opportunities.Micheal Ferland spoiled Lundqvists shutout bid with 8:48 remaining and Elliott finished with 24 saves for Calgary, which has lost four straight and six of seven.Flames coach Glen Gulutzan believes the game started to unravel as soon as his club fell behind on Grabners goal.Were fragile right now and to see that go in and spot them one right there when we thought we got off to a good start and had some energy in front of our home fans, its deflating, Gulutzan ssaid.dddddddddddd. This is a really good club and we didnt play near the game that we needed to play and thats on us. Thats on us, thats on the coaching staff and myself.The Flames have been particularly poor at home, having lost five of their last six at the Scotiabank Saddledome.Stepans wrister doubled the Rangers lead with 8:01 left in the opening period.Vesey made it 3-0 at 9:26 of the second as he steered a pass from Ryan McDonagh through Elliotts pad. Buchnevich then finished off a lengthy passing sequence with 5:38 remaining in the period, scoring for the fourth straight game.The boos from the home crowd began and the Flames were also booed as they left the ice at the end of the game.Not a good game, Calgary captain Mark Giordano said. They came out, they had a team that we knew had a lot of speed and a lot of fire power up front. We werent hard enough, bottom line. They made us pay.Ferland got the Flames on the board in the third, ending their 0-for-28 drought on the power play at home.Game notesElliott fell to 3-8-0, matching his loss total from last season -- when he was 23-8-6 with St. Louis. ... New York is 4-0-1 in its last five against Calgary and 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings. ... Flames D Dennis Wideman was back in the lineup after being scratched the last four games. .... Calgary rookie LW Matthew Tkachuk (wrist) skated this morning, prior to practice. Hes considered day-to-day... Flames C Matt Stajan was moved to left wing on the line with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik. ... Buchnevich, the Rangers 21-year-old Russian rookie, had 16 goals in the KHL last season. ... Kevin Hayes and Brad Skjei each had their six-game point streaks snapped for the Rangers.UP NEXTRangers: At Edmonton on Sunday in the second game of a four-game trip. The Rangers won 5-3 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 3.Flames: At Minnesota on Tuesday night. ' ' '