Players

PRO

Drafted in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft…fifth draft pick taken from Oregon in Bills history.

NFL AWARDS

•    NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month – October
•    Selected to the 2010 AFC Pro Bowl team as a reserve free safety
•    Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team Selection
•    Sporting News All-Rookie Team Selection
•    Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team Selection
•    Dallas Morning News All-Rookie Team Selection
•    Sporting News Top 25 Under 25 Selection
•    Voted 2010 Buffalo Bills Ed Block Courage Award winner

CAREER

•    Tied for the NFL-lead in interceptions with nine in 2009 (Charles Woodson-GB, Darren Sharper-NO, Asante Samuel-PHI)
•    First Bills rookie defensive back selected to the Pro Bowl
•    Third Bills rookie selected to the Pro Bowl (RB Joe Cribbs – 1980, RB Greg Bell – 1984)
•    First Bills DB to represent the Bills in the Pro Bowl since Nate Clements in 2004
•    Holds the following Buffalo Bills interception records:
        o  Most consecutive games with an interception – 5 (weeks 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10, 2009)
        o  Most interceptions by a rookie/first year : 9
•    First NFL player to record three consecutive multi-interception games since Dave Baker of San Francisco (1960)

2011

At KC (9-11): Posted 5 tackles including 1 tackle for loss.  Helped pass defense hold KC to 119 passing yards.
Vs. Oak (9-18): Led defensive backs with 10 tackles.
Vs. NE (9-25):  Posted a game-high and career-high 12 tackles.  Added two passes defensed.
At Cin (10-2):  Recorded seven tackles.
Vs. Phi (10-9):  Forced a fumble and recover the ball from Jason Avant in the third quarter.  One of Buffalo’s five turnovers on the day.  Posted eight tackles including one for loss.
At NYG (10-16):  Posted four tackles.
Vs. Was (10-30): Registered his first INT and sack of the season.  First Bill w/ a sack and INT in a game since Aaron Schobel on September 14, 2009.  Added four tackles.
Vs. NYJ (11-6):  Recorded his second INT of the season - 4th against the Jets in his career.  Also added six tackles.
At Dal (11-13):  Tied for a game-high eight tackles.  Also posted a forced fumble.
At Mia (11-20):  Posted five tackles.
At NYJ (11-27):  Recorded four tackles and one pass defensed.
Vs. Ten (12-4):  Led defensive backs with nine tackles including one tackle for loss.
At SD (12-11):  Recorded three tackles.
Vs. Mia (12-18):  Posted three tackles including one tackle for loss.
Vs. Den (12-24):  Scored on a 37-yard INT-TD in the fourth quarter ... Added seven tackles and one pass defensed ... Pass defense held Tim Tebow to a 35.4 passer rating.
At NE (1-1):  Posted three tackles.

2010

Vs. MIA (9/12):  Saw action at safety in mainly passing situations.
at GB (9/12):  Made his first start of the season and recorded four total tackles.
at NE (9/26):  Posted seven tackles.  Also recorded his first career fumble recovery and the team’s first turnover of the season.  Turnover resulted in a Bills touchdown.
vs. NYJ (10/3):  Recorded seven tackles defensively and one special teams tackle.
vs. JAX (10/10):  Posted five tackles.
at BAL (10/24):  Recorded two solo tackles.
at KC (10/31):  Posted four tackles.
vs. CHI (11/7):  Set a career-high with 10 tackles, sharing the team-lead (Posluszny).
vs.  DET (11/14):  Recorded six tackles and one pass defensed.
at CIN (11/21):  Posted three tackles.
vs. PIT (11/28):  Produced a career-high 11 tackles.  Produced his first turnover of the year with a FF and FR of Rashard Mendenhall.  Takeaway led to a Buffalo FG and tied game at 13 in 4th quarter.  First FF of his career.
at MIN (12/5):  Totaled three tackles.
vs. CLE (12/12):  Forced a career-high two fumbles.  First Bill to post two forced fumbles since Aaron Schobel on 12/27/09 at Atl; first Bills DB since Nate Clements on 1/2/05 vs. Pit.  First fumble resulted in a turnover recovered by Kyle Williams.  Added eight tackles.
at MIA (12/19):  Recorded his first sack of his NFL career. ... added four solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a QB hit.
vs. NE (12/26):  Totaled eight tackles.

2009

• At NE (9/14) In first NFL game, saw action both defensively and on special teams.  Posted three tackles on defense.
• Vs. NO (9/27) Made his first career NFL start as the team’s fifth defensive back.  Totaled five tackles.
•    Vs. CLE (10/11) Posted his first career interception.  Led Bills defensive backs with seven tackles.  
• At NYJ (10/18) Posted his first multi-interception game (2). Second interception led to Buffalo’s game-tying touchdown in the third quarter.  Became the first Bills         rookie with interceptions in consecutive games since N.     Clements in 2001 (games 14-15).  And became the 1st Bills rookie with three interceptions in a season since Clements in 2001.  
• At CAR (10/25) Recorded two interceptions which led to both Buffalo touchdowns.  Became the fifth Buffalo Bill to post multiple interceptions in consecutive weeks and first since Kurt Schultz in 1996 (2 vs. Cin., 11/17/96; 2 vs. N.Y.J., 11/24/96). Became first Bills rookie to post five interceptions in a season since Jeff Nixon (6) in 1979.  The first NFL rookie to post two-plus interceptions in consecutive games since Everson Walls (Dallas) in 1981.  Also became the first NFL rookie with five interceptions in a calendar month since Mark Carrier (Chicago) in 1990.  
• Vs. HOU (11/1) Totaled two interceptions and five tackles. Became first rookie and second NFL player to have three consecutive multi-INT games (joining Dave Baker (SF) 1960, games 8-10).  Tied a team-record with his fourth consecutive game with an interception. Became the fourth Bill with three multi-INT games in one season (Archie Matsos (4-1960), Billy Atkins (4-1961) and Tom Janik (3-1966)).
• At TEN (11/15) Recorded an interception for the fifth consecutive game setting a new Buffalo Bills team record.  
Became the second NFL player since 1970 to record an interception in five consecutive games in his first NFL season (Kansas City’s Eric Harris, 1980). Tied the team rookie record with his eighth interception of the season.
• At KC (12/13) Posted his ninth interception of the season and set the team’s rookie interception record.  
• Placed on injured reserve December 23.

CAREER

Byrd started each of his final 37 contests during a 39-game career at left cornerback, recording 203 tackles (143 solos) with six stops for losses of 17 yards, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries...Deflected 53 passes, ranking fourth in school history…Gained 113 yards on 17 interception returns (6.6 avg)…His 17 interceptions tied Jake Leicht (1945-47) for second on the school career-record list.

PERSONAL

Political Science major... Son of Marilyn and Gill Byrd, Sr... Father was a 1983 first-round draft pick out of San Jose State and a two-time Pro Bowl selection while playing cornerback for the San Diego Chargers (1983-1992)…Gill Sr. went on to join the coaching ranks, serving as the secondary coach for the St. Louis Rams (2003-05) before joining the Chicago Bears staff as a defensive quality control coach in 2006... Jairus’ older brother, Gill, Jr. was a defensive back at New Mexico State (2004-06)... Born Jairus Keelon Byrd in San Diego, CA.

COMMUNITY

    On September 27, 2011 more than 2,800 Buffalo and Orchard Park area elementary school students packed the auditorium at Kleinhans Music Hall for the Play 60 Challenge Annual Kickoff event. Jairus was one of 14 Bills players who addressed the students and encouraged them to get motivated toward a healthy and active lifestyle.
    airus was one of several Bills players in attendance at the second annual lighting of Niagara Falls on October 7th. Bills players were on hand to sign autographs and greet fans before the falls were lit pink to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Jairus was at the event as part of the 6th Annual Billieve Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
    Jairus participated in the Night Out With the Bills which is put on by the Buffalo Pro Ministry Athletes in Action.  The players in attendance shared stories about their views on faith, signed autographs and posed for pictures with over 700 members of the Buffalo Community.  
    In November, Jairus served as one of 18 Bills players who travelled to Holland, NY to formally announce H.O. Brumstead Elementary as the Buffalo Bills “Play 60 Super School.” The school received a $10,000 grant for health and wellness initiatives and held an Ultimate Physical Education class led by Bills players.
    By participating in the Bills’ Community Ticket Program, Jairus was able to assist numerous young fans throughout the season. The Byrd’s Nest was on hand each game and also received food and beverage coupons compliments of Jairus.
    Jairus supported the local community throughout the holiday season by assisting in Co-Strength and Conditioning Coach John Gamble’s holiday programming. Multiple Bills players assisted the events by donating time and money to ensure area families could properly enjoy the holidays.
    Earlier this year, Jairus teamed with his father, Gill, to create the “Legacy Experience.” Comprised of two separate events in both Buffalo and Rochester, the event is designed for fathers and sons eager to share in a stronger bond and establish a legacy between fathers and sons using the fundamental principles of football such as discipline, mentoring and trust.
    Jairus also lent his support to teammate Mike Jasper, who held a musical service event with “Cover the Earth” – the vocal authority tour from Mike’s alma mater, Bethel University – at Bethesda World Harvest International Church on Main Street in Buffalo in May.