ALBUQUERQUE β A University of New Mexico football player who died in a car crash will get a posthumous degree.
KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports that the UNM Board of Regents approved the honor Friday for Markel Byrd.
The 20-year-old sophomore was driving home to San Diego for the holidays last December when his car sustained a blowout on Interstate 40.
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 New Mexico Lobos and had tied for the team lead in interceptions last year.
