FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots safety Kevin Byard doesn’t have any hard feelings about the two seasons he spent with the Chicago Bears.
But this week he is trying to think of any tips to help his new team walk out of Thursday’s night matchup in Chicago with a victory against his former team.
“I’m giving the coaches and the players as much as I can, you know what I mean?” Byard said with a smile on Tuesday. “Obviously, I am not there anymore, and I don’t have all my notes and stuff like that. But as far as personnel, anything I can kind of remember.”
Byard experienced plenty during his two seasons with the Bears.
He arrived in 2024 after his lone season in Philadelphia, signed a two-year deal and was selected as a captain on his new team. He then proceeded to be part of a rebuilding year that included coach Matt Eberflus being fired after 12 games in what ended up being a 10-game losing streak.
The Bears quickly turned things around last season under new coach Ben Johnson, and Byard thrived in the new environment, leading the NFL in interceptions while being selected as an All-Pro for the third time in his career.
It’s why the main feeling he’s taking with him when he returns to Soldier Field this week is one of respect.
“Definitely excited to go back to Chicago and play up there,” Byard said. “I loved playing in that stadium in front of those fans. It’s going to be an electric environment.”
Part of Byard’s experience over the past two seasons was getting to know Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was his fellow captain both years.
Williams said he learned a lot from Byard during their time together.
“Obviously, being able to go versus him, practice for two years. I mean, he’s a super savvy vet,” Williams said. “I know he’s getting up there in age (laughs), but he’s still fast, and he does — I’ve seen him work. He studies film. He still moves extremely well. He knows the route concepts really well.”
It’s given the Patriots an extra lift to a secondary that already includes star Christian Gonzalez.
Johnson isn’t surprised that Byard has fit in so well in New England’s locker room.
“I love Kevin Byard and what he brings to the table. You can tell he really fits their defense well in terms of the communication and what they’re asking him to do,” Johnson said.
Though Byard has yet to have an INT through the Patriots first six games, Williams said he’ll be keeping an eye on him this week.
“It’s gonna be a great challenge for us, a great challenge for me and the wide receivers to be able to go out there and execute and complete passes and keep being the offense and identity that we wanna be,” Williams said.
Byard said the respect is mutual.
“I love his mentality, I’m a huge fan of him, honestly,” Byard said. “I just think the care, his willingness to go out there and fight every day with his team. So I’m excited to play against him and hopefully our defense can have a better day.”
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New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) celebrates with safety Kevin Byard III (31) after sacking New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor, left, can't make a catch as New England Patriots safety Kevin Byard III (31) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A sorority member at the University of Arizona has alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August.
The student told the university’s police department that she consensually kissed one of the men at one point while at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Aug. 26 but doesn’t remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records posted Monday night by KOLD-TV in Tucson.
The sexual assault allegations surfaced two weeks after the university had suspended activities for its 21 fraternities amid reports of misconduct, including assault, hazing and drug- and alcohol-related behavior. Suspensions on all but five fraternities have since been lifted after they had mandatory meetings with the dean of students.
In speaking with an investigator, the sorority member recalled consuming tequila, including sharing a cup of the beverage with friends; witnessing two men sexually assaulting her, even feeling one man’s breath on her face; awakening the next morning without pants and underwear on; and noticing a difficulty in swallowing, a possible sign of strangulation, according to the records.
Later that day, she reported the allegations to police and underwent a forensic exam at a hospital.
In a recorded call with the sorority member two days after the encounter, one of the men acknowledged he had sex with her, but he said she had agreed to it and denied that another man had sex with her. He said he had been drunk and “fuzzy” on what happened. He said people took video of the sorority member and him kissing in a bathroom, according to the records.
The Associated Press left email and phone messages with the university Tuesday seeking comment. Its police department said the investigation is ongoing and declined to say if any arrests had been made. The Pima County Attorney’s Office said the case hasn’t been referred to it for prosecution.
The university had put Sigma Phi Epsilon on probation from July until May of next year after a hazing complaint. Sigma Phi Epsilon isn’t among the five fraternities that are currently listed as suspended.
The national fraternity organization said they ordered members of the Arizona chapter to comply with any investigation.
“The Fraternity has suspended those involved while the investigation proceeds. Any member found responsible will be expelled from Sigma Phi Epsilon, and we will cooperate fully with law enforcement as it seeks accountability under the law,” read a statement from Brian Warren, chief executive officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Retaliation against the alleged victim or any witnesses would also not be tolerated, Warren said.
Meanwhile, at Cornell University, a former student alleged that multiple Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted her in October 2024. The allegations have sparked campus protests, renewed scrutiny of the Ivy League school's disciplinary system and a state investigation into the alleged assault. Several of the men have denied that they engaged in any nonconsensual sex or denied they touched the woman at all.
This week, a woman sued Alpha Delta Phi and its Chicago chapter, alleging she was raped in February by a member of the fraternity at the University of Chicago. The woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, claimed she was sexually assaulted during a party at an on-campus residence and that she reported the assault to city police the next day.
When asked about the case, Chicago police did not name the fraternity or provide an exact address, but said they are investigating a report of a sexual assault that happened on the same block early on Feb. 8.
The University of Chicago and Alpha Delta Phi did not respond to emails in time for publication.
Chicago police are also investigating after a woman reported being sexually assaulted during a party at another fraternity earlier this month. The University of Chicago said in a statement last week that a woman reported being sexually assaulted at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house. The fraternity said none of its members took part in the alleged attack.
Associated Press writer Laura Turbay in Arkansas contributed.
The original Old Main building on the University of Arizona campus is seen Friday, July 31, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
