Titans Mike Vrabel: 'Appreciates' His Relationship With Kevin Byard

It's not often that a coach and a player share a personal relationship off the field, but that's not the case with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and star safety Kevin Byard.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - No argument can be found to suggest Kevin Byard isn't one of the good guys in the NFL. His charity work and how he goes about his business, personally and professionally, speak volumes of his high character. 

That high character has helped the player and his head coach turn a business relationship into something more, on and off the field. 

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Byard during his training camp opening press conference on Tuesday, and the head man surprised some with his answer. 

"He was one of those guys from the onset five years ago. I don’t know who I was – maybe with the Bussin’ Boys, and I had a conversation, but he (Byard) was one of those guys from the day that I got here," Vrabel said. 

"Change in leadership can be difficult sometimes. KB’s (Kevin Byard) been out there, has been available, knows what to do, and communicates. To the extent where sometimes, for the growth of other players, we have to keep KB out of there so that it forces other players to talk and to communicate."

"I just appreciate our personal relationship outside of football. He's raising a family and just really doing a lot of positive things in his foundation work and what he does. Again, we're lucky to have him. Obviously, he's a great teammate. He's been a captain here, obviously, since I've been here."

Byard has been described as the ultimate team guy, and that title was exemplified last week when it was announced that he had reworked his contract to help the team gain more cash against the salary cap to pay DeAndre Hopkins. 

Everyone will remember the off-season issues that surfaced when it was reported and confirmed that the team had asked Byard to take a pay cut ahead of the coming season. 

While Byard was likely not happy with the event and the subsequent fallout in the media, when he appeared before the media during the minicamp, he flatly refused to talk about his feelings on the issue. 

Ultimately, when the team needed him once again, Byard rose to the occasion off the field as he does on it and made the deal to redo his contract to help his team.   

Not all things that help build winning football teams happen on the field of play; sometimes, it takes things like this off the field to help build a roster and culture that can't be seen from the stand. 

Related stories on training camp 

• HOPKINS TALKS SIGNING WITH TITANS: DeAndre Hopkins, the newest Tennessee Titans wide receiver, met with the Nashville media on Tuesday and shared the reasons that led him to choose Nashville as his new home, among other things. CLICK HERE
• HASKINS' LEGAL TROUBLES: Tennessee Titans running back Hassan Haskins has been charged with aggravated assault, complicating his future with the team, but on Tuesday, Mike Vrabel appeared to express patience as the legal matter unfolds. CLICK HERE
• NEXT UP AT RIGHT TACKLE: The Tennessee Titans need to find a replacement for starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere due to a gambling suspension. Mike Vrabel named the internal options for the Titans at the first press conference of training camp. CLICK HERE