Byrd reached Krieg first and was able to strip the ball from him, forcing a fumble. A second later, Byrd collided with Mersereau, whom he did not see approaching, hitting him in the chest with the crown of his helmet. The collision broke the C5 vertebrae in Byrd’s neck, leaving him paralyzed.
Byrd reached Krieg before anyone else and took the ball away from him, leading to a fumble. However, Byrd then collided with Mersereau, who was not seen approaching, and hit him in the chest with his helmet, causing a severe neck injury that left him unable to move.