Scott Mersereau
Encyclopedia
Scott Robert Mersereau born (April 8, 1965 in Riverhead, New York,
United States) is a former defensive end
for the New York Jets
of the National Football League
. He attended college at Southern Connecticut State University
. He had played professionally for the New York Jets for 9 seasons beginning in 1987
Mersereau is most famous for a collision with teammate Dennis Byrd
, in which Byrd was paralyzed from a neck injury during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs
on November 29, 1892. During the play, Byrd rushed in an attempt to sack Chiefs quarterback
Dave Krieg
, but Krieg stepped up to avoid the tackle, and Byrd collided with Mersereau. Byrd ducked his head at the last moment before he collided with Mersereau's chest. The head-first collision resulted in a broken vertebra that left Byrd paralyzed and Mersereau with a permanent back injury. Byrd later recovered, but didn't play football again.
Mersereau was also unable to play ball again after the incident, and his back injury prevents him from being able to lift even remotely heavy loads. He has since married and currently works as a financial advisor. Mersereau also coaches at Boca Raton Community high school football in his spare time.
United States) is a former defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He attended college at Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
. He had played professionally for the New York Jets for 9 seasons beginning in 1987
Mersereau is most famous for a collision with teammate Dennis Byrd
Dennis Byrd
Dennis DeWayne Byrd is a former defensive end and defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He attended college at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He played professionally for the Jets for four seasons beginning in 1989...
, in which Byrd was paralyzed from a neck injury during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
on November 29, 1892. During the play, Byrd rushed in an attempt to sack Chiefs quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Dave Krieg
Dave Krieg
David Michael Krieg is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He attended Milton College and made the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent...
, but Krieg stepped up to avoid the tackle, and Byrd collided with Mersereau. Byrd ducked his head at the last moment before he collided with Mersereau's chest. The head-first collision resulted in a broken vertebra that left Byrd paralyzed and Mersereau with a permanent back injury. Byrd later recovered, but didn't play football again.
Mersereau was also unable to play ball again after the incident, and his back injury prevents him from being able to lift even remotely heavy loads. He has since married and currently works as a financial advisor. Mersereau also coaches at Boca Raton Community high school football in his spare time.