Football coach killed in wrong-way crash honored by team

Football players at Heights High School are dedicating this season to coach Adrian Byrd.

The beloved coach was killed in a wrong-way crash over the summer.

It's only been months since Byrd was so tragically killed but the Heights High Bulldogs are all pulling together.

Before Hurricane Harvey hit, ABC13 was there for the team's first practice.

The team wore shirts with Coach Byrd's motto "one more rep" on them. The team is now dedicating its season to the coach.

Many athletes say the beloved coach was more than just motivation on the field. He was a mentor and an extended family member.

"I really hope that this was a lesson learned to them. And we use it as a teaching tool for them not to go out drinking and driving because something could happen to them like what happened to Coach Byrd. And you never know when God is going to call you home," said coach Stephen Dixon.

A memorial for Coach Byrd faces the field for each practice. At the end of every practice, the final huddle ends with the words "long live Byrd."

Byrd was killed in June after his car was hit head-on by a wrong way driver. Investigators say the suspect, Gerardo Gonzalez Luna had a .284 blood alcohol level. That's three times over the legal limit. Investigators say open containers of beer were also found inside the vehicle. Byrd's wife, Veronnia Byrd, survived the violent crash with a shattered leg and badly broken jaw.

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