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...
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