Earnest Byner is a former American football running back. Currently he is the running backs coach for the Washington Redskins. His National Football League career started when he was drafted to the Cleveland Browns in 1984.
Earnest Byner, considered one of the greatest running backs in Redskins lore, re-joins the Redskins with immeasurable experience as an NFL player and front office executive.
The Redskins will look to Byner to bring his well-known toughness and determination to coaching Washington's running backs in his first official coaching role. Most recently, he has spent the past six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, as the team's director of player development.
Redskins fans most recently saw Byner at FedEx Field in 2002, when he was named one of the franchise's 70 Greatest Redskins, honoring the team's 70th anniversary. From 1989-93, Byner wore the burgundy and gold proudly, rushing for 3,950 yards during his five seasons--a mark that remains fifth on the team's all-time rushing list. In 1991, he led the Redskins in rushing, finishing the season with 274 carries for 1,048 yards and five touchdowns, and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl XXVI victory. He earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 1990 and 1991.
He began his pro career as a tenth round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 1984 NFL Draft (280th overall). He spent five seasons with the Browns (1984-88) before joining the Redskins (1989-93). He returned to the Browns in 1994 and finished his career spending four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (1996-97).
Byner 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 recorded 15 career receiving touchdowns and a touchdown on a recovered fumble, totaling 72 career scores.
During his time in Washington and along his other stops in the NFL, Byner has always been a strong contributor in the community. While serving as director of player development in Baltimore, Byner oversaw the player programs, administered continuing education, internship and financial planning programs for the team. In addition to being named as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins in 2002, he has received numerous awards and honors for his work both during and after his playing career. In 2000, he was named as the first member of Baltimore's Ring of Honor at M&T Bank Stadium; he received the Ed Block Courage Award in 1986, the 1996 NFL Extra Effort Award, the NFLPA Unsung Hero Award in 1997 and was the Ravens recipient of the True Value NFL Man of the Year Award in 1997.
Byner was recently inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at his alma mater, East Carolina University. He finished his college career with 378 carries for 2,049 yards and 11 touchdowns and 22 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He was an Associated Press All-American honorable mention in 1983.
Byner is a native of Milledgeville, Ga., where he attended Baldwin High School. He and his wife, Tina, have five daughters: Semeria, Adriana Monique, Brandi and Kyara.