Chargers Release 2009 Seventh Round Pick Demetrius Byrd

Normally we're not too concerned with seventh round picks being cut after a year in the system but Demetrius Byrd is a bit different.

In the 2009 lead up to the April NFL draft, Demetrius Byrd was projected by most folks to be a mid-round pick. However, just a week before the draft, he was in a major car accident that left him in critical condition. This pretty much ended any thoughts of him being drafted.

Or so we thought.

The Chargers made him a seventh round draft pick -- a project basically -- and hoped he would heal in reasonable time. He was placed on the non-football injury/illness list and didn't play a down in the 2009 season.

The Chargers giving him a contract in 2009 despite the injury was a very classy move.

(Which they kindly pointed out how classy in their press release).

Catch up on how Chargers fans are reacting to the move over at Bolts From The Blue.