In a recent interview with ESPN.com Page 2 writer Sam Alipour, Byrd talked about how important the role of religion was in his life. Byrd has written a manuscript called " The Free Byrd Project" that details his spiritual journey through the major leagues and the pitfalls that pious jocks must leap in navigating a ballplayer's lifestyle.
"Religion can go over into every area, like whether I should cheat out on the field," Byrd told Alipour. "I write about the desire to just make money at any cost. I share about my temptation to spit on the ball, put KY jelly on it or scuff it, to win more games and make more money. That's a big temptation for me, being a guy who throws 82, who relies on movement.