Earnest Byner

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Byner was a fullback at East Carolina University from 1980 to 1983 where he gained 2,049 yards on 378 carries. He was inducted into the East Carolina Hall of Fame in 1998. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the tenth round (280th pick overall) of the 1984 NFL draft. He played for the Browns (1984–1988; 1994), Washington Redskins (1989–1993) and the Baltimore Ravens (1996–1997). Paired with power runner Kevin Mack in the Browns backfield, the pair both gained over 1,000 yards in the 1985 season. Byner helped the Browns reach the AFC Championship game in both 1986 and 1987 seasons. In the 1987 AFC Championship Game, he was instrumental in a Browns comeback from a 21–3 deficit. With the score tied at 31, the Broncos scored a go-ahead touchdown to make the score 38–31. On the next play Byner took a Kosar handoff and was stripped of the ball by Bronco defensive back Jeremiah Castille at the 8-yard line, a play known as 'The Fumble.' He finished that game with 67 rushing yards, seven receptions for 120 yards, and two touchdowns. Byner was traded to the Washington Redskins on April 22, 1989 for running back Mike Oliphant. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 when he ranked fourth in the NFL with 1,219 yards rushing and in 1991 when he ranked fifth with 1,048 yards rushing. In the run to Super Bowl XXVI, he carried the ball 45 times for 168 yards while catching four passes for 35 yards, with his one touchdown coming in the Super Bowl versus Buffalo, where he rushed for a 10-yard touchdown. His time with the Redskins earned him a position as one of the franchise's 70 Greatest Redskins. He finished his 14-year NFL career ranked 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 8,261 yards on 2,095 carries with 56 touchdowns. He also caught 512 passes for 4,605 yards and 15 touchdowns, returned 33 kickoffs for 576 yards, and scored a touchdown on a recovered fumble, totaling 13,442 all-purpose yards and 72 career scores. Byner's 512 receptions is tied for 16th most by halfback/fullback/running back in NFL history as of 2026. After retiring as a player, he worked in the Baltimore Ravens front office as the director of player development. He was the first player to be inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor in 2000. In January 2004, Byner was hired to be the running backs coach on Joe Gibbs' staff with the Washington Redskin

In Their Own Story

The 1987 AFC Championship Game remains the most memorable chapter of Byner's Cleveland tenure. After mounting a massive comeback from a 21–3 deficit to tie the game at 31, the Browns faced a critical moment with six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Denver Broncos had just taken a 38–31 lead. On the ensuing drive, the Browns moved the ball downfield, reaching the Denver 8-yard line with just over a minute remaining. Byner took the Kosar handoff and ran off left tackle. He surged past the defensive line, looking sure to score the equalizing touchdown that would force overtime. However, Bronco safety Jeremiah Castille managed to strip the ball from his grasp. The play became known as 'The Fumble,' marred an otherwise impressive performance where he recorded two touchdowns, 67 rushing yards, and seven receptions for 120 yards.

Reader's Guide

Earnest Byner is best remembered for 'The Fumble' in the 1987 AFC Championship Game, but he was a productive running back who gained over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins. He later became a running backs coach for several NFL teams.

Did You Know?

• Byner was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the tenth round (280th pick overall) of the 1984 NFL draft.
• He and Kevin Mack both gained over 1,000 yards in the 1985 season.
• Byner was a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 and 1991.
• He rushed for a 10-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XXVI.
• He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.