Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Byard named Titans Walter Payton Man of the Year
10/29/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO – Former Middle Tennessee great and current NFL star with the Tennessee Titans, Kevin Byard received one of the ultimate awards as announced by Head Coach Mike Vrabel earlier today. Byard is the 2020 Tennessee Titans Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Presented annually to honor a player's volunteer and charity work along with success on the field, Byard is one of 32 finalists. The winner will be announced during Super Bowl week in February.
"This honor is no shock to anyone around Middle Tennessee," said Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Stockstill. "Kevin is a great man, a great husband, and a great player who always works hard in the community helping others. There's not a better leader or teammate than Kevin Byard. We love him dearly and wish him nothing but success."
It's the first time the Pro Bowl safety has won the award and it is easy to see why.
Byard has earned the NFL's Community MVP award after hosting back-to-school events to over 100 disadvantaged families in the Nashville area. He helped pack and distribute more than 300 distance learning kits that included backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items, sporting goods and gift cards.
He also launched the Byard Family Legacy Fund in 2019 to provide families and individuals in the community a better tomorrow. Byard also assisted teammates in March in cleaning up the greater Nashville area after a tornado ripped through the area.
In July 2020, Byard was named the official spokesperson for the United Way of Greater Nashville. His first order of business was to participate in the organization's virtual Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
Byard has also been highly successful on the field. From 2017 through 2019 he led the NFL with 17 interceptions and is regarded league-wide as one of the top safeties in the league.
During a four-year career with the Blue Raiders, he appeared in 49 games and notched 46 starts at safety. He set school records with 19 career interceptions, 377 interception return yards and four interception returns for touchdowns. He finished sixth in MTSU history with 312 career tackles. In 49 career games, he had a hand in 25 turnovers (19 interceptions, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery). Had 17 additional career passes defensed and five tackles for loss. He was twice named first-team All-Conference USA.
Presented annually to honor a player's volunteer and charity work along with success on the field, Byard is one of 32 finalists. The winner will be announced during Super Bowl week in February.
"This honor is no shock to anyone around Middle Tennessee," said Blue Raider Head Coach Rick Stockstill. "Kevin is a great man, a great husband, and a great player who always works hard in the community helping others. There's not a better leader or teammate than Kevin Byard. We love him dearly and wish him nothing but success."
It's the first time the Pro Bowl safety has won the award and it is easy to see why.
Byard has earned the NFL's Community MVP award after hosting back-to-school events to over 100 disadvantaged families in the Nashville area. He helped pack and distribute more than 300 distance learning kits that included backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items, sporting goods and gift cards.
He also launched the Byard Family Legacy Fund in 2019 to provide families and individuals in the community a better tomorrow. Byard also assisted teammates in March in cleaning up the greater Nashville area after a tornado ripped through the area.
In July 2020, Byard was named the official spokesperson for the United Way of Greater Nashville. His first order of business was to participate in the organization's virtual Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
Byard has also been highly successful on the field. From 2017 through 2019 he led the NFL with 17 interceptions and is regarded league-wide as one of the top safeties in the league.
During a four-year career with the Blue Raiders, he appeared in 49 games and notched 46 starts at safety. He set school records with 19 career interceptions, 377 interception return yards and four interception returns for touchdowns. He finished sixth in MTSU history with 312 career tackles. In 49 career games, he had a hand in 25 turnovers (19 interceptions, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery). Had 17 additional career passes defensed and five tackles for loss. He was twice named first-team All-Conference USA.
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