Late Lobo Byrd awarded posthumous degree

New Mexico’s sophomore safety Markel Byrd (22) died last December in an auto accident.University of New Mexico football player Markel Byrd, who died in a car crash last December, will get a posthumous degree.

The UNM Board of Regents approved the honor Friday for Byrd, a 20-year-old sophomore who was driving home to San Diego for the holidaywhen his car had a blowout on Interstate 40 in Arizona.

Both Markel and his girlfriend, Alexus Ortiz, were ejected from the vehicle.

Markel died at the scene. Ortiz was injured but survived.

Byrd played safety for the Lobos. He had 44 tackles and three interceptions in 2015.