TU To Honor Hurricane Legend Dennis Byrd At Saturday's Game Against Tulane

It will be an emotional day at Chapman Stadium tomorrow, as Tulsa honors Dennis Byrd.

"First of all, we want to extend our condolences and prayers and thoughts with the Byrd family,” said Coach Philip Montgomery.

That's how Philip Montgomery started his weekly comments to the media this past Tuesday. Even though he had never met Byrd, the former Hurricane's presence resonated.

"You can't be around this place and know the history about this place and that name not be brought up and hear the stories,” said Montgomery. “You just love the energy, the determination, and the discipline that he had about his life to get what he wanted back into it."

Saturday will be the first time TU can honor the former Hurricane great on their home field, at homecoming against Tulane.

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There will be a number of ways Byrd will be remembered on Saturday, but one of them will be on the field, every time the players get close to the 50-yard line.

Both 48-yard hash marks will be marked with a "48," Byrd's number at TU. The team will wear a number 48 helmet sticker as well.

There will be a moment of silence prior to the national anthem. The blue TU flag in the south end zone will be at half-mast. Then, before the start of the fourth quarter, during the tradition of the "raise the Hurricane flag," the Hurricane flag will be raised to half-mast as well.

"Dennis Byrd is a guy that you see everywhere when you come to campus,” stated safety Jordan Mitchell. “His picture's in the weight room; it's all over the walls of this locker room and the coaches' office."

Receiver Keevan Lucas added, "We have a great history and tradition here at TU, and it's great to have people such as Dennis Byrd that came to our school."

There’s no question that Byrd is a true Hurricane legend, and he will be honored as such on Saturday.