FOXBORO — Safety Kevin Byard quickly won over his younger Patriots teammates.
Byard, 33, was named a captain this summer in his first season with the Patriots. The starting safety signed a one-year, $7 million deal to reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Byard has established himself as a playmaker during his 10-year NFL career, twice leading the NFL in interceptions.
Get to know Byard better in this season’s first installment of our “New Patriots” series.
#### What was your first football memory?
I would definitely say, probably just like as a young kid, probably 8, 9 years old. Kind of come from humble beginning. So, I didn’t used to have like DirecTV or nothing like that growing up. So at my aunt’s house, she had DirecTV. So I would literally, anytime we’d spend time at our house, like I would sit there and watch the NFL Network, all the NFL films. So, I was big, like, I ain’t gonna say I’m a football historian, nothing like that. But I used to love watching, like the older ’70s, ’80s, ’90s. You know what I mean? Like I’ve kind of fantasized about the NFL at the time, and this is before I was even able to play.
And then my first memory, honestly, I didn’t even play park ball, so I didn’t play football until eighth grade. We kind of just played in the neighborhood with friends and stuff. So my first year, like my first, honestly, first four or five years playing football, I was a quarterback. So I remember playing quarterback. But then eighth grade, before I went to high school, middle school, they used to have the weight limit deal, where like, if you was a certain weight, you couldn’t carry the ball. So I would always be overweight some games, and so they’ll put me at O-line or tight end or something. And then my coach used to have me try to before the games wear like a little sweat vest to try to sweat off some pounds and stuff. He’s like, man, just take a laxative or something like that so you can run the ball. But it’s probably my first earlier memories, for sure.
#### What’s your top high school football memory?
Ooh, top high school football memory. I played on ESPN my junior year. That was an incredible atmosphere against our rival high school, Stevenson High School down in Lithonia, Ga. Yeah, I’m gonna say that was probably that’s probably the biggest game. It wasn’t even a playoff game, but it felt the atmosphere was incredible for sure.
#### What’s your top college football memory?
Well, I would say it’d be my 19th, well, 17th career interception at MTSU, which broke the record or tied the record to have the most interceptions, and I got 18 like the following week or something like that. So that’s probably my top memories.
#### What made Middle Tennessee State special for you?
I mean, obviously, just the people I met, the connections I made, lifelong friends. But then, obviously, you know, we had a lot of really good games there, so I would definitely say the people, for sure.
Patriots safety Kevin Byard carries a puppy available for adoption as he makes his way to the practice field on July 25. Paul Connors/Boston Herald
#### What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?
That’s a good question. My mom used to tell me all the time that I probably would be a great lawyer because I used to argue back a lot. So I’d probably say I feel I got to be a lawyer.
#### That’s good. Who’s your favorite athlete growing up?
Favorite athlete? Ed Reed, for sure. And growing up in Philadelphia was definitely Allen Iverson.
#### Do you have a favorite movie?
I was a big Will Smith guy, so I’ll probably say “I Am Legend”/”The Pursuit of Happiness.”
#### Favorite new school artist?
Oh, Future. My favorite artist for sure.
#### Who have you been closest with on the team so far?
Definitely our DBs. I’d probably say Marcus Jones, honestly. Me and Craig (Woodson) obviously play a lot together, but I think just being kind of like that veteran type of deal, me and Marcus have had some pretty good, cool conversations.
#### Who’s the funniest player on the team?
Funniest player? B-More (Christian Barmore). I think B More is the funniest guy. Not even just because of something he do on purpose. Just like his personality is funny.
#### What do you like most about the New England region so far?
I think the food’s really good. Their seafood’s really good. Also, they got pretty good Chinese food up here too. I had some Chinese food the other day, and so I would definitely say the food for sure.
#### Is there a player across the league you feel like is underrated or underappreciated?
I say Craig. You know what I mean. I feel like I’m not predicting anything, but I think he should have a pretty good breakout year in a way. You know what I mean? So I’d probably say Craig right now.
#### Do you think there’s a topic you know more about than anyone else in the locker room?
Probably say watches. I’m a big watch guy, so I’m pretty sure I probably know more than everybody else in here.
#### What’s your favorite brand?
Patek Philippe. Yeah, favorite brand, for sure.