WASHINGTON (WNCT) — East Carolina sophomore Parker Byrd received special recognition on the U.S. House floor during Thursday’s session.
Congressman Don Davis, who represents much of this area, including Pitt County and Greenville, spoke on the floor about Byrd’s accomplishment of becoming the first Division I college baseball player with a prosthetic leg to appear in a game. Byrd pinch-hit for Chaz Myers in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Feb. 16 season-opening 16-2 victory over Rider at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
Byrd drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch that set off a wild round of applause, cheering and yelling from the 5,221 people in attendance. Byrd happily trotted over to first base. He was replaced by pinch-runner Jason Janesko, who eventually scored on a bases-loaded walk to Colby Wallace to give ECU a 13-2 lead.
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Davis went to the House podium with a big photo of Byrd acknowledging the Clark-LeClair crowd before his at-bat. Below is a transcript of Davis’ speech to the U.S. House.
“Madam Speaker, breaking news an East Carolina University baseball player was involved in a boating accident. As communities across Eastern North Carolina were cheering on Parker Byrd 22 surgeries over 45 days.
“He survived. But Parker lost his right leg.
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“Our community not only cheered for Parker, but we joined his family in praying for him. And yes the Lord answers prayers.
“Speaker on February 16th another news flash. Parker Byrd, number 16, returned to the baseball field and he stood in the batter’s box at the season opener and it became the first ever Division I baseball player to play with the prosthetic leg.
“Parker’s a testament of the resilience of Eastern North Carolina and the Miracles of God. America loves you, Parker. We’re cheering for you, coach Cliff Godwin and the entire part baseball team.”
