Titans Safety Kevin Byard confronts HOFer Deion Sanders on Twitter
By Chris Clark
Safety Kevin Byard wanted answers after NFL HOFer Deion Sanders dubbed Texans S Tyrann Mathieu as the best safety in the game today on Twitter.
Titans safety Kevin Byard wasn’t even invited to the NFL combine. He was an underdog playing at a school not many has heard of: the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Titans General Manager, Jon Robinson, drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
From there, he’s been nothing but great for the Titans. Especially in 2017, when he sat at the top of the NFL in the turnover department. That’s why Byard wanted answers from comments made by Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/975945060813557762
Kevin Byard critiqued that claim on Twitter shortly after.
https://twitter.com/KB31_Era/status/975946452533903361
Deion Sanders responded to him, egotistically saying “you continue to be a fan, and I will continue to be the man.”
You're looking at who writers tell u who's the best I know who players and former players feel is the best. I rest my case. You continue to be a fan and i will continue being the man. #Truth https://t.co/gnpwJHjxEK
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 20, 2018
Byard, of course, didn’t take too kindly of that. He brought up guys like Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, and Harrison Smith as guys he feel should be labeled as the “best in the game,” instead of Mathieu.
But the numbers nor film add up. How do you overlook guys like Harrison Smith, Earl Thomas, and Eric Berry as not being the best in the game? I never said I was the best but I’m on my way. You continue to be a fan and I will continue going to the pro bowl and being great #Truth https://t.co/s099lNjiq2
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2018
Jacksonville Jaguars Pro-Bowl safety, and Nashville native, Jalen Ramsey also responded to Kevin Byard on Twitter, surprisingly taking up for his AFC South rival.
Man bump that! Talk that talk KB! You know you a beast, a whole lot of others know it too Trust me! You supposed to believe you the best! & You got the film to back it up! Everybody got opinions but just keep giving facts bro! https://t.co/dIegdgAnWi
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 20, 2018
Kevin Byard addressed the disrespectful “fan” remark by Sanders by reminding him that he is a current player that watches film. Then made a point to not disrespect him.
https://twitter.com/KB31_Era/status/976170736372060160
Everybody is entitled to their own opinion of course I have no problem with that. But don’t disrespect me and call me a FAN as if I don’t play this game too. Us “small school” guys get overlooked way too often you know that bro https://t.co/J2fRXaEFgV
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2018
Deion Sanders may have made an arrogant statement by calling Byard a “fan” while calling himself the “man,” but maybe Sanders should sit back and take a look at what Byard has done.
He had 62 tackles last season along with eight interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 16 passes defended. Byard was snubbed from the Pro Bowl, but eventually got in as an alternate.
Byard became the 5th player in NFL history to record five interceptions in a two-game span (vs. Ravens, at Cleveland). He was only the second player to do this in a 30-year span. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
Byard is by far one of the hardest working players the Titans have had at the safety position in some years. And he may end up as one of the best to step foot at that position as a Titan if he keeps taking leaps and bounds forward in his career.
Don’t misunderstand this, though. There’s no love lost for Mathieu and Sanders from Byard.
Nothing but respect for both of them ✊🏾 https://t.co/ixqLOGvo4Q
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2018
Kevin Byard just simply #WantedAnswers, but Sanders barely delivered.