Inspiring teen serves as honorary captain for Griffon football

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) -- Over a week before Missouri Western State University football squared off against Pittsburg State, Ju'Lius Byers was in the middle of his physical therapy when he was met with a surprise.

Byers, who affectionately goes by "JuJu," was made the honorary captain for the Griffons and signed a national letter of intent during a pregame press conference.

"I feel pretty good," JuJu said. "Being honorary captain, it's going to be cool."

Welcomed by MoWest President Elizabeth Kennedy, Athletic Director Andy Carter and Head Football Coach Tyler Fenwick, Byers had a special Saturday planned as a Griffon.

His family watched as he signed the letter of intent and answered questions in a press conference.

"Feels great, I love my family, they all support me," Byers said. "They have been praying and they were with me in the hospital."

One family member, his grandma, Carolyn Winters, shared her reaction to the injury and how she feels now.

"My heart was broken," Winters said. "My heart is still broken in different ways now that I see his progress. It's a good hurt."

Byers walked around Ability KC with a neck brace the first time News-Press NOW saw him. Just over a week later, he walked around MoWest without the brace.

"Feeling good, just some stiffness or moving," Byers said. "I got a soft one for temporary reasons."

Outside of signing his letter of intent and his own press conference, Byers got a tour of the locker room and the athletic facilities.

On the field, Byers walked out as a captain and was handed the coin to flip for the teams. Pittsburg State, as the visiting team, called tails.

Byers' flip landed heads, to which Grant Finley, defensive end for the Griffons, turned to Byers and said, "Great toss."