Chicago Bears star’s historic feat celebrated on Monday

MTSU pays homage to Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard’s legendary collegiate career

The Blue Raiders immortalized Byard’s No. 20 jersey on Sept. 30, 2022, during a halftime ceremony against the University of Texas at San Antonio.

He became only the second player in program history to receive the honor. MTSU retired Teddy Morris’ No. 14 in 1965.

The accolades did not stop at interceptions. Byard also left MTSU as the program’s all-time leader in interception return yards (377) and finished with 312 total tackles during his collegiate career.

On Monday, MTSU took to Instagram to honor Byard’s lasting impact on the program, highlighting his career achievements in a tribute graphic.

The caption read: “Celebrating the Blue Raider & CUSA Hall of Famer who is one of only two MTSU football players to have their jersey number retired!”

That same championship pedigree has translated seamlessly to the NFL.

Byard and fellow safety Jaquan Brisker form one of the more formidable safety tandems in the NFC.

In 2025, the veteran ball-hawk recaptured his All-Pro form. He led the team with 93 tackles and paced the entire league with seven interceptions. That performance fueled Chicago’s rise to an 11-6 record and an NFC North title.

What comes next remains to be seen. Byard heads into free agency with his future in Chicago uncertain. But wherever he lands, his legacy in Murfreesboro is already cemented in the rafters.