RB Keith Byars (B10 POY, All-American, OSU HOF, CFB HOF, NFL Pro Bowl)

[wadc45]

Wikipedia

COLLEGE CAREER
Byars was a tailback at Ohio State University from 1982 to 1985. In 1984, he was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy (to Doug Flutie) after a season where he gained an OSU record 2,441 all-purpose yards, including a then-school record 1,764 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, and was selected first team All-America and the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. Byars finished his 4 seasons at Ohio State with 4,369 total yards, 3,200 rushing yards, and 50 touchdowns.

NFL CAREER
As a professional, he played fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles (1986-1992), Miami Dolphins (1993-1996), New England Patriots (1996-1997), and the New York Jets (1998). Byars was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1993.

A superb rusher, blocker, and pass receiver, Byars was a vital contributor for every team he played on. In 1988 he rushed for 517 yards, recorded 71 receptions(ranking him 9th in the NFL), and scored 10 touchdowns. In the Eagles 20-12 loss to the Chicago Bears in the postseason, he rushed for 34 yards and caught 9 passes for 103 yards. In 1990, he recorded 81 receptions for 819 yards, the third most receptions in the NFL, rushed for 141 yards, and even completed 4 of 4 passes for 53 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the 1996 season, Byars made his first and only championship appearance, playing with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. His team lost the game 35-21, but the 33-year old Byars had a good performance in it, catching 4 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

In his 13 seasons, Byars rushed for 3,109 yards, caught 610 passes for 5,661 yards, returned 5 kickoffs for 94 yards, and completed 6 of 13 passes for 119 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 1 interception. He also scored 54 touchdowns(23 rushing and 31 receiving).

AFTER RETIREMENT
He is currently a pre- and post-game radio analyst for Ohio State University football games. He is also a television analyst for "New York Football Weekly" and This Week in Football on the YES Network.

Byars in Tikrit, Iraq, signing autographs during a February 2006 troop visit.

Official OSU Athletics Site

Keith Byars earned first team All-America honors, was Big Ten MVP and runner-up for the Heisman Trophy (to Boston College’s Doug Flutie) in 1984, when he rushed for a then-school record 1,764 yards and 22 touchdowns. That season, he led the nation in rushing, scoring (144 points) and all-purpose running (2,441). Included in those totals were 274 yards and five TDs against Illinois in one of the most brilliant individual performances in OSU annals. The Fighting Illini led 24-0, but Byars’ fourth TD was a spectacular 67-yard run in which he completely reversed his field and lost a shoe at the Illinois 35, but still outran the Illini secondary. His fifth touchdown of the day was the game winner. Byars, who missed most of his senior year with a foot injury, is still fourth on the all-time rushing list with 3,200 yards.

Carrer Stats at Pro-Football-Reference.com

Bucknuts Great Moments

In one of the more memorable games in OSU history, the Buckeyes, behind Keith Byars' 274 yards rushing, came back from a 24-point deficit to beat Illinois, 45-38. The Illini raced out to a 24-0 lead, but Byars, QB Mike Tomczak and WR Cris Carter helped lead Ohio State back to take a 27-24 lead in the third quarter. The Illini didn't quit though as they would come back to tie the game 35-35, but Keith Byars led the final 80-yard scoring drive to seal the 45-38 win. Byars' effort was a school record at the time, and the win sent OSU into first place in the Big Ten.

One of my all-time favorite Buckeyes...

 

[walstib77]

My all-time favorite Buckeye.

Watching Keith run out of his shoe--and into the record book--vs. Illinois was my favorite Buckeye game I ever attended. He was a MONSTER that day, over and above his typically massive presence on the field. The times I've had the pleasure of his acquaintance, I was doubly impressed by his humble and approachable attitude.

He was robbed of the Heisman his Junior year; too many voters feared giving another Buckeye underclassman the trophy, and that swayed the vote to Flutie for the fluke Hail Mary that ran over...and over... and over on TV.

Keith's performance that year was the most outstanding. And what he did against Illinois was larger than any pass Flutie ever threw.

It's worth noting that Keith had a higher QB rating than Flutie that year, as well. I believe he threw two passes, two completions, for two TD's.



His senior year was the year many of the balloteers were planning to give Keith the award he deserved--but his foot trouble that season precluded it.

No one, and I mean no one, was more lethal in the flat on a screen. He had the hands of an all-star receiver, the build of an NFL linebacker, and the speed to match the best halfbacks out there. The square-shouldered leap was another signature move.

He could make them miss, run them over, or beat them with speed on an angle. Pick your poison.

I always, always loved watching Keith play when he went on to the NFL, regardless of the team. I loved the statement he made with the Patriots the first game he played against Jimmy Johnson's favored Dolphins after Johnson cut him. Keith did it with class--being the better man on the field.

Hats off to a Buckeye who truly REPRESENTS!!!

EAUX AICH!!!

 

[Buckskin86]

Keith Byars, a former Ohio State football player, signs autographs for students at Ben Franklin Elementary School on Friday during a visit with Windstream, which donated school supplies to the students. (Morgan Wonorski, The Advocate)

Former OSU tailback visits local elementary
By SETH ROY ? Advocate Reporter ? May 17, 2008

NEWARK -- Ben Franklin Elementary School Principal Sue Leedale and her 350 students greeted former Ohio State tailback Keith Byars with a resounding "O-H-I-O!" chant Friday afternoon.

Byars visited the school, spoke to the students and signed autographs as part of Windstream's Green Truck Tour, during which the company donated school supplies for each of Ben Franklin's students.

"We are one of the luckiest schools in Newark, Ohio, today," Leedale said to the students while introducing Byars.

Byars talked a little about his career as a Buckeye but focused on his early school days as laying the foundation for his eventual success.

"When I was in high school, I never missed a day," Byars told the students after asking who had perfect attendance among them. "I still have my perfect attendance awards at my mom's house."

Byars, who played for OSU from 1982 to 1985, then spent 13 years in the National Football League, told the students to go after their dreams so they will be able to achieve them.

"Whatever you want to be in life," he said, "... you can be that."

Former OSU tailback visits local elementary | newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate

 

[osugrad21]

Scout$--All-Time Greatest ? No. 14: Keith Byars

3200 career rushing yards, 46 TDs, and most carries in a single season.

 

[ScriptOhio]

1984 Fiesta Bowl

[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOFEwbOjGo"]YouTube - Keith Byars 99yd kickoff return-TD - 1984 Fiesta Bowl[/ame]

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

OSU football: Wells' foot injury jogs the memory
Byars missed significant time in '85 with broken bone
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 3:06 AM
By Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State's star tailback was down. He had serious pain in his foot. And so much of the Buckeyes' offensive plans revolved around him. What were they going to do now? The same scene and immediate questions were acted out Saturday when Chris "Beanie" Wells suffered an injury to his right foot in the season-opening win over Youngstown State.
But OSU fans might remember a similar circumstance 23 years ago. Keith Byars was the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite. The Buckeyes were going to hand, toss and pass him the ball, and maybe even let him throw a pass or two.
"Then it was our last real big contact scrimmage before the season opener, and he goes down," then-OSU coach Earle Bruce recalled.
Byars had suffered a broken bone in a foot. Like the current Buckeyes, the 1985 team had some other major players on offense, including receiver Cris Carter and quarterback Jim Karsatos. But their home-run hitter was gone.
"First thing, you don't replace a Keith Byars, you know what I mean?" Bruce said. "He was a 6-3, 245-pound running back who ran a 4.5-second 40, and ran for 1,764 yards the year before and almost won the Heisman Trophy. Keith Byars was special."
Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

Former NFL Star Named Head Coach At Boca High
'Football Lifer' Beats Out About 150 Applicants For Job
Peter Burke, News Editor
May 29, 2009

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- A former Miami Dolphins star is taking over the reigns of the Boca Raton Community High School football team.

Former running back Keith Byars accepted an offer to become head coach of the varsity team Friday, hours before he was scheduled to chair a Big Brothers Big Sisters golf tournament.

The former first-round NFL draft pick said he had his second interview Friday morning before he was offered the job. The interview made him more than an hour late to the tournament.

Byars beat out about 150 applicants for the job, which came down to him and interim head coach Larry Green. Byars said Green is welcome to remain on the staff.

"If he wants to stay, he has a job on the coaching staff," Byars told WPBF.com.

Byars was the head junior varsity coach there last year, leading the Bobcats to an undefeated season. Prior to that, Byars spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach and one season as an assistant coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton.

"I'm a football lifer," Byars said.

He replaces Eddie Giersbrook, who was fired after an 8-3 season in which the Bobcats advanced to the playoffs.

Byars, who has lived in South Florida since 1992, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 10th pick in the 1986 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He spent 13 seasons in the NFL playing for the Eagles, Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.

Former NFL Star Named Head Coach At Boca High - Sports News Story - WPBF West Palm Beach

 

[muffler dragon]

Just reading the name gives me goosebumps. I loved watching Keith.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Another Buckeye connection in Florida. Sounds good to me.

 

[leroyjenkins]

Boca High. Home of Greg & Steve Bellisari

 

[Buckskin86]

Former Dolphin Keith Byars accepts head coaching job at Boca Raton High
By Ethan J. Skolnick and Stacy Hicklin | Staff Writers
May 29, 2009

Boca Raton wanted to find a head football coach to take its program to the next level. The administration believes it found that person in Keith Byars, a Boca Raton resident who played 13 seasons as a fullback in the NFL.

"He's quite a catch for us," Boca athletic director Bill Massey said. "He established himself with the JV last year and with his NFL experiences and contacts he's the total package."

Byars was the junior varsity coach at Boca this fall, leading the Bobcats to a 6-0 record. He previously coached at Pope John Paul II and Atlantic and replaces Eddie Giersbrook, who was fired on March 24 after two seasons as head coach.

The Bobcats went 8-2 last year, losing in overtime to Fort Pierce Westwood in the regional quarterfinals.

"It's a lifelong dream of mine to coach on the high school level," said Byars, who played for the Dolphins from 1993 to 1996. "I never wanted to coach in college, and I didn't have too many aspirations to coach on the professional level, either. I like the evolution of seeing kids mature into themselves, and go to bigger and better things in life, not just in football."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-boca-raton-keith-byars-s052909,0,239304.story

Former Dolphin Keith Byars takes over as Boca coach
By JASON LIESER
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 29, 2009

BOCA RATON ? Reclining in an office chair during his first day as Boca Raton's new football coach, former NFL player Keith Byars described himself as a blend of his past mentors.

He has the defensive philosophy of Buddy Ryan, the stubbornness of Bill Parcells and the demanding nature of Don Shula. And, of course, Bill Belichick's secrecy.

"I'll tell you this about the injury reports, I don't give too many details," Byars said with a laugh. "I'll tell you if a kid has a broken leg then he's out, but that's about it.

"I'm like a quilt, pieces and patches of this and that. I try to take the best part of each one of those coaches and apply it."

Boca Raton ended a two-month coaching search by offering the job to Byars - his first varsity head coaching job - after one final round of interviews Friday. Larry Green - the Bobcats' interim coach since the firing of Eddie Giersbrook - was the runner-up in a pool of 160 applicants. The school hopes Green will join Byars' staff as an assistant.

One of the most impressive credentials Byars brought was his 13-year NFL career, which included 1993-96 with the Dolphins. He joined the football staff at Boca Raton last year as a varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach.

Principal Geoff McKee and Athletic Director Bill Massey made the announcement in the school's weight room. The players cheered the introduction of Byars, 45, and did the same when McKee thanked Green for his leadership during the transition.

"Now we know who's up top and who to follow," said Ricky Sturm, an offensive lineman who will be a senior this fall.

Byars established Boca Raton as his off-season residence in 1992 and moved there permanently in 2000. Since then, he has coached youth sports and been a football assistant at Atlantic High and Pope John Paul II.

Byars played running back and linebacker at now-defunct Roth High in Dayton, Ohio, before playing at Ohio State. He finished second to Doug Flutie in the 1984 Heisman Trophy voting and the Eagles drafted him 10th overall in 1986.

He rushed for 3,109 yards and had 5,661 receiving yards while playing for the Eagles, Dolphins, Patriots and Jets during a career that ended in 1998. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1993.

"I see him having that charisma to be able to communicate with kids," Massey said. "They respect what he's accomplished as a player. "

Former Dolphin Keith Byars takes over as Boca coach

 

[BUCKYLE]

First order of business for coach Byers should be changing the uniforms.

 

[BB73]

For those who haven't seen the uniforms:

Boca.Raton.website

Keith Byars II was a freshman playing on the JV team last season. He has a thread in the recruiting forum, including some video just posted by Buckskin86.

'12 RB Keith Byars II

 

[BUCKYLE]

For those who haven't seen the uniforms:

Boca.Raton.website

Or they could just look at the picture in Buckskin86's post above mine.

 

[BB73]

Or they could just look at the picture in Buckskin86's post above mine.

Gimme a break - I didn't make fun of you for misspelling Byars, which was spelled correctly in the post with the pictures.

First order of business for coach Byers should be changing the uniforms.