Richard Byas Jr.

Richard Reese Byas, Jr. (born 1950-10-19 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League.

Early years

Byas, a 1970 graduate of Mackenzie High School is known for his football and track and field prowess at Detroit’s Wayne State University

During a stellar football career at Mackenzie, Byas led the defensive squad through two undefeated campaigns in 1967 and 1969. So stingy was the 1967 Stag defense, that Mackenzie's opponents scored only two points during the entire teacher strike-shortened season.

Upon graduation in 1970, Byas brought his football and track talents to Eastern Michigan University. After one year with the Hurons, Byas transferred to Wayne State; during three seasons at WSU, Byas set or tied eight career, single season, and single game football records. In 1973, Byas established WSU single season records for kickoff returns, kickoff return yardage, punt returns, and punt return yardage. Byas also set career records for punt return yardage, kickoff return yardage, and kickoff returns.

Primarily a sprinter and long jumper during his collegiate track and field career; Byas captained the track and football team during his senior year. Richard Byas Jr. received his bachelors degree in Education from Wayne State in 1974; the same year he was signed as a free agent by the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

NFL career

Through seven full seasons with the Falcons, as a defensive back and kickoff return specialist, Byas played in 103 games and produced six career interceptions for 193 yards and one touchdown. Byas also totaled 23 career kickoff returns for 519 yards and a 22.6 yard average; he forced several blocked punts that resulted in Atlanta touchdowns and, on eight occasions, Byas was awarded the game ball by his teammates.

1977 was arguably his best season as a pro; Byas intercepted three passes for 122 yards, including one interception resulting in the lone touchdown of his career - a 72-yard return of an Archie Manning pass in Atlanta’s 21-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Following his retirement from the NFL in 1980, Byas returned to Detroit and began a teaching career; he was officially inducted into the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

References

* [http://wsuathletics.cstv.com/genrel/091904aaa.html Wayne State University]
* [http://michigan-football.com/f/allteams.htm Michigan High School Football History]
* [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BYASRIC01 NFL stats]