Byard
Former MTSU and Tennessee Titans standout Kevin Byard, who plays for the Chicago Bears, was named to the NFL Pro Bowl as a starter Tuesday for the NFC squad.
It is Byard’s third selection to the Pro Bowl and his second as a starter.
“Whenever you’re recognized for the season that I’ve had and our players have had, it means a whole lot,” Byard told the chicagobears.com. “Definitely wish we had a lot more guys in there. I think we had a lot more guys on this team who were deserving and rightfully so should have gotten in, i.e. Nahshon Wright, for sure.
“But at the end of the day, it’s a huge honor. It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers, coaches and the fans. Top five in overall votes was pretty crazy and incredible to see.
Byard joins teammates and offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman as the Bears’ selections.
Byard is second on the team with 83 tackles, including 59 solo stops. He leads the Bears and the NFL with six interceptions.
Byard’s 35 career interceptions are the second most among NFL active players, with Minnesota’s Harrison Smith being first with 38.
Perhaps Byard’s most impressive accomplishment in the NFL is he has never missed a game, having played 161 consecutive games in his almost 10 years in the league.
The third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2016 also has a chance to be selected to the All-Pro team, which is selected by active NFL players, for the third time. It will be announced following the regular season.
Byard, who played for MTSU from 2012-15, is the program’s all-time leader in interceptions with 19. He was elected to the Blue Raider Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025.
Byard and former legendary MTSU track coach Dean Hayes were the first two Blue Raiders to be inducted into the Conference USA Hall of Fame in 2024.