The Tennessee Titans have a 7-2 record through the first nine weeks of the 2021 NFL season, and during their five-game winning streak that has come against some good teams, the Titans and their players are getting more national attention, especially safety Kevin Byard.
Byard, 28, has already accumulated five interceptions this season, three shy of his career-best in 2017. In Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, Byard picked off Matthew Stafford’s pass early in the second quarter, returning it for a touchdown, his second of the season.
As a result of his great play, Byard has entered the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, even in the eyes of the national media.
However, if you ask the Middle Tennessee State product, he’s more focused on just making plays.
“It definitely feels good, I’m not going to sit here and say it doesn’t,” Byard said of the national recognition. “What feels good for me is when I watch film and make plays that I know I can make – that’s the main thing for me. I felt like I was snubbed a few years early in my career for Pro Bowls. I’ve stopped paying attention to those types of folks, I could really care less.”
As the Titans have entered the national spotlight more over the last handful of weeks thanks to wins over the Bills, Chiefs, Colts and Rams — two of those wins have come on national television — we’ve seen people butcher Byard’s name on several occasions.
Whether it was Al Michaels calling him Kevin “By-yard,” or ESPN calling him “Keith Byard” broadcasters and media outlets alike continue to struggle with his name, which is strange because it isn’t hard to figure out.
Prior to Wednesday’s practice, Byard addressed the routine butchering of his name, something he’s quite used to.
“Ever since I was younger, I’ve usually never had a coach say my last name right the first time, so it doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t really care about that type of stuff. I just go out there and make plays. The more plays I make, I guarantee they’ll start pronouncing my name right the first time,” Byard said while laughing.
Byard was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Month for October, and he’s off to a good start in November. People mispronouncing his name, on the other hand, are not.
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