Former defensive lineman and NC State legend Dennis Byrd has been inducted into the 2014 NC State Athletic Hall of Fame. Byrd, a key member of the famed “White Shoes Defense” in 1967, was the only Wolfpack defender to have his number retired.
Byrd (Aug. 31, 1946 – July 23, 2010) was born in Marion, North Carolina, but moved with his family to Lincolnton at age 5, according to WRAL. He played at Lincolnton High School for head coach and Lincolnton legend Von Ray Harris. There, he played with two future Wolfpack teammates: offensive tackle Steve Warren and Harris’ son, Ronnie. All three headed to NC State to play football in the fall of 1964.
Dennis the menace horrified opponent offenses from 1965 to 1967 and was the first ACC player to earn all-conference honors throughout his entire varsity career. Byrd became a star to Wolfpack fans, as he was seen plugging up the middle against teams running the ball, and soaring like a hawk toward quarterbacks attempting to throw.
Byrd wasn’t able to play as a freshman per NCAA regulations at the time, but was immediately placed as a starter when becoming a sophomore.
When he became eligible to play for the Pack in his second year, the Marion native made his defensive ability known. Byrd created a no-man’s land on the line of scrimmage against offensive opponents, and led the Pack to an ACC championship in his first year with the team. It’s truly a shame that sacks were not recorded as an official statistic in NC State record books at the time.
By his senior year, Byrd commanded the NC State “White Shoes Defense” of 1967, which gave the Wolfpack its first national acclaim on the gridiron. NC State rose to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll that year, the highest ranking in school history.
In midst of the Pack’s dominance, Byrd suffered an unfortunate knee injury and missed the last two games of the season, which NC State lost. The Wolfpack, however, beat Georgia in the 1967 Liberty Bowl, earning the school’s first post-season bowl victory.
Byrd was taken as the sixth overall pick in the 1968 National Football League draft by the Boston Patriots, becoming the second Wolfpack player ever taken in the first round of the professional football draft. Byrd earned a starting job as a rookie defensive end, but his knee never fully recovered. Byrd’s professional career only lasted two seasons.
After his playing career ended, Byrd became a high school teacher and coach. He was the head coach at West Lincoln High School and a long-time assistant at Northeastern High School.
Byrd’s induction follows that of his former head coach Earle Edwards, who was anointed last season. The cherished Wolfpack great died of a heart attack on July 15, 2010. He was 63. Dennis Byrd is survived by his wife, Kim, and four children. His No. 77 jersey was retired by NC State in 2002.
