So on Aug. 23, a day before the due date, the Titans safety wound up delivering his newborn son at his home in Nashville. Byard on Wednesday explained how the harrowing experience unfolded, beginning with his wife, Clarke, waking him up at 10:30 p.m. with contractions that quickly grew in intensity.
Byard got dressed and went downstairs to begin prepping the car for their trip to the hospital. He then came back upstairs and called their doula, telling her to meet them at the hospital.
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Moments later, Clarke told her husband to pick up the phone again.
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Md.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) pushes New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) out of bounds on a run during the third quarter of an AFC Wild Card game at Gillette Stadium Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) listens to pregame ceremonies before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes a photo with PFC Andarius Raoof before the game against the Patriots at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas.
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) and linebacker Jayon Brown (55) celebrate the interception by Byard in the team’s 15-10 playoff-clinching win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Dec. 31, 2017 in Nashville.
Kevin Byard of the Titans, right, volunteers with Overton High School football players at The Bridge Ministry Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) signs a jersey for a fan before the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes a selfie with fans before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates after his interception during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes the field for the game against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Kevin Byard (31) free safety — Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) is brought down by Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) during the first quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Oakland , Ca.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) signs an autograph for Texans fan before the game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.
No. 20-Kevin Byard: Titans safety Byard (31) celebrates his interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Nissan Stadium Dec. 31, 2017.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) leads the huddle before the preseason game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson hugs safety Kevin Byard (31) after the team’s 15-10 playoff-clinching win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Dec. 31, 2017.
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) gets ready to throw a football to the crowd during the Titans uniform reveal event held at Broadway and 1st Avenue in Nashville April 4, 2018.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates his interception with safety Kenny Vaccaro (24) in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates breaking up a pass in the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates his interception against the Dallas Cowboys the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas.
Nov 5, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts the ball in the end zone intended for Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper (19) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31)and cornerback Logan Ryan (26) celebrate after the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) gets a first down on a catch from punter Brett Kern (6) on a fake punt during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) takes a selfie with fans before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Denver, Colo.
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard, left, hands food out to the homeless with other volunteers under the Jefferson Street bridge on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans joined with Bridge Ministry and other volunteers to help the homeless in Nashville.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) brings down Colts tight end Eric Ebron (85) in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
No. 20-Kevin Byard: Tennessee Titans safeties Byard (31) and Kenny Vaccaro (24) take a selfie on the field after the team’s 25-16 win over the Washington Redskins at Nissan Stadium Dec. 22, 2018.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) makes a game-saving interception late in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up a pass intended for Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) and linebacker Jayon Brown (55) sack Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler (6) in the first half at Nissan Stadium Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) poses with two Air Force members before pregame ceremonies at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up a pass intended for Patriots tight end Jacob Hollister (47) in the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates his interception in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) brings down an interception in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) takes the stage during the Titans uniform reveal event held at Broadway and 1st Avenue in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) stops Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates his first interception during the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) forces Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) out of bounds just before a touchdown during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates breaking up a pass during the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) stops Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) during the first half of a game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) is tackled by Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) in the first half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up the Hail Mary pass from Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) at the end of the Titans’ 24-20 win at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) and Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) vie for a hail Mary pass by Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) with less than one minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, November 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up a Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) pass intended for tight end Tyler Kroft (81) at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Ravens running back Alex Collins (34) is tackled by Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) during the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) pulls in his third interception during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) pushes Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) out of bounds during the second half at Nissan Stadium Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) stops Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) behind the line of scrimmage during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up a pass for Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Titans outside linebacker Erik Walden (58), defensive end Jimmy Staten (69), and safety Kevin Byard (31) pose for a picture with their former college football coach from MTSU Rick Stockstill after the first practice of training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
Western Kentucky wide receiver Jared Dangerfield is brought down by MTSU safety Kevin Byard during the first half on Oct. 10, 2015 in Bowling Green, Ky.
MTSU safety Kevin Byard returned this interception against Southern Mississippi for a touchdown on Nov. 23, 2013.
MTSU safety Kevin Byard intercepts a pass intended for Vanderbilt wide receiver Trent Sherfield during the third quarter at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro on Oct. 3, 2015.
MTSU safety Kevin Byard returns a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter against Old Dominion on Sept. 26, 2014.
MTSU’s Kevin Byard (20) takes down North Texas’ Tee Goree (3) on Nov. 21, 2015.
MTSU safety Kevin Byard (20) intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Trent Sherfield (10) during the third quarter against Vanderbilt on Oct. 3, 2015.
Western Kentucky wide receiver Jared Dangerfield (21) is brought down by MTSU safety Kevin Byard (20) during the first half on Oct. 10, 2015.
MTSU safety Kevin Byard was an All-Conference USA selection in 2014.
58/58 SLIDES
“She quickly told me, ‘Call her back. Tell her to meet us at the house,’” Byard recalled Wednesday ahead of the Titans’ Week 2 game against the Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Sunday (noon, CBS). “Now I’m really starting to scramble a little bit.”
Byard raced back downstairs to get the car ready. When he ran back upstairs, he found his wife on her hands and knees with contractions.
He got the doula on speaker phone.
“The doula’s talking to her, asking her how she feels,” Byard said. “She’s saying, ‘I can’t really move. I feel like the baby’s about to come.’”
The Byards’ doula, who lives about 30 minutes away in Franklin, altered the game plan. She suggested Byard try to help his wife into the bathtub.
“So I’m like, ‘OK, well, let’s try to get her on her feet,’” Byard said. “So I’m trying just to check back there, kind of pulled her pants down a little bit just to see what’s going on, and the head was already poking out. So at this point, I’m back out there like, ‘Oh man, the head’s poking out!’ Talking to the doula, she’s like, ‘OK, just tell her to start breathing. Relax. And just tell her to start pushing. The baby’s coming.’”
Byard said his son’s face was pointed upward, and he could see it was purple.
“I was kind of nervous about that,” he said. “The doula told me to support his head, check around his neck, check (to see if) the umbilical cord is wrapped around his neck, and it wasn’t, thank God. My wife started pushing. Ten to 15 minutes later, once she got his head out and his shoulders, everything just kind of slipped out. I kind of caught him in my arms.”
The fifth-year safety, who leads the league with 17 interceptions since the start of the 2017 season, said it was the best catch he’ll ever make in his life.
“That was the most memorable thing me and my wife have ever been through in our relationship, other than obviously getting married,” Byard said.
After falling into his father’s arms, Kevin Leon Byard IV coughed two or three times, his father said, before beginning to cry. The elder Byard then laid his wife down on her back and rested his newborn on her skin-to-skin as they waited for the ambulance and the doula to arrive.
All of it unfolded within about 30 minutes, the former MTSU star said. It was the couple’s second child; they also have a 1-year-old daughter, Eliana.
“That’s a story,” he said, “that I’m going to be able to tell my son for the rest of our days.”
Reach Erik Bacharach at [email protected] and on Twitter @ErikBacharach.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans safety Kevin Byard details experience of delivering newborn son at home
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