NASHVILLE – Titans safety Kevin Byard wants to do his part to help kids battling cancer.
And he's doing so by serving in a big role at this year's Rally on the Runway.
The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research earlier announced Byard as this year's honorary chair for the 7th Annual Crew Aviation/Rally On the Runway event, which raises money for cancer research.
The event will take place on Thursday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Marathon Music Works in Nashville.
The event will feature Rally Kids, children who are fighting or have fought cancer, as models. These Rally Kids will be escorted by a number of Titans players, led by Byard.
"I think there will be 10 to 12 kids that are either dealing with cancer right now, or have beaten cancer," Byard said. "It is called Rally on the Runway because me and a lot of my buddies on the team will be walking down the runway (with the kids). They'll strut their stuff and stuff like that.
"Honestly, it is a life-changing event."
The evening will include gourmet dining, silent and live auctions, and a welcome address from honorary chairs Clarke and Kevin Byard, as well as a message from a Rally Kid. In 2020, Byard was named the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year for his work in the community. Byard and his wife established the Byard Family Legacy Fund to help those in the community in need of support on a number of levels.
"Supporting Rally Foundation throughout the year has empowered and motivated my wife, Clarke, and me to do all that we can to save kids with cancer," Byard said. "Being a part of Rally On the Runway is the big win for everyone: the players, the audience, and especially the Rally Kids who inspire us all."
To learn more about Rally On the Runway and how to support the event through sponsorship, auction item donation, or to purchase tickets, please visit RallyOnTheRunway.org/Nashville. For more information on how to get involved with Rally or to donate, visit RallyFoundation.org or @RallyFoundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Byard, who played at Middle Tennessee State, was a third-round draft pick of the Titans in 2016.
"The first time me going (to Rally on the Runway) was my rookie year and Jurrell Casey was the honorary chair and he passed it along to me," Byard said. "Just hearing the stories and seeing the parents, and obviously being a parent now, one of the worst moments in a parent's life is getting that news from a doctor, saying that your child has cancer, and watching your child go through chemo, it is definitely life-changing.
"So for me personally, it is something me and my wife, obviously we do a lot of things in the community, but I have been working with the Rally Foundation since my rookie year and it is definitely life changing. It is going to be good to get some of my buddies there, and some of the young guys, to be able to see what it means to give back to the community and having those life-changing moments. And honestly, just giving your time, talking to these kids, it can mean everything to them. It is going to be super exciting."
