Dennis Byrd anchored the North Carolina State defensive line with relentless power, earning consensus All-American honors and cementing his legacy in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Football Bio
August 31, 1946 – Dennis Byrd, the former defensive tackle at North Carolina State, was born.
Bird was a consensus first-team All-American in 1967. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in the 2010 class of entries, and the Boston Patriots drafted Dennis Byrd in 1968 in the AFL.
But due to an injury in his senior year at NC State, he was only able to play one year in the big leagues.
Although a senior-year injury cut his professional career tragically short, Dennis Byrd left an impact crater, along with some bumps and bruises, on those who faced him in college football history through his dominant play in Raleigh. [National Football Foundation]
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2010).
- Named a Consensus First-team All-American in 1967.
- Selected by the Boston Patriots in the 1968 AFL Draft.
- Honored as a standout defensive tackle for the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Celebrate Football History With Your Collection
"Heads up: A few links in this description are affiliate links. That means if you click through and grab something, I might get a small cut that helps keep the lights on hereβat zero additional cost to you!"
- Roman Gabriel: NC State Legend and First Filipino NFL QB
- Jack McDowall: NC Stateβs Hall of Fame Football Legend
- Gridiron Precision: The Historic Career and Legacy of Torry Holt
- Jim Ritcher: The First Center to Claim the Outland Trophy
- The ACCβs Eternal King: The Record-Breaking Legacy of Ted Brown
