Meet Great Neighbor Karif Byrd
By: Andrea Fine
We often hear, “It takes a village!“ There are many, many parents, coaches, and athletes here in Newport Beach who would firmly agree, and for them, Karif Byrd is part of that village. Karif was born November 13, 1977, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Lisa and Ravenel Byrd. A few months after Karif was born the young family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Sadly, when Karif was just four years old, his father was killed. Following the tragedy, his mom moved them to Augusta to be near her parents.
Karif attended elementary and high school in Augusta. He graduated from Butler High School in 1996, where he was a standout football player and track star. Karif played wide receiver and ran the 400 meters. After graduation, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in speech communications at the University of Georgia. Karif again pursued his passions, playing football and running track as a Bulldog. He is a three-time All-SEC Track and Field awardee.
In 2002, Karif came to California to visit his uncle, LeRoy Irvin, who played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams. Byrd has called California his home ever since. In 2005, he played Arena football, and from 2003-04, he played in Europe. In 2003, at the urging of two local dads, Kirk Norton and Arthur Valdez, Karif began coaching and working out kids. He formed Get It Done Sports (GID) as a way to share his on-field experience and mentor young athletes. In 2008, Karif offered his first football camp, free, to all youth playing football with the Sea Hawks. He says, “ I wanted to give back to the coaches and community for all of their support.”
Sadly, in 2009, Karif’s beloved mother died from cancer. To honor her memory and help others, he formed the Lisa Byrd Foundation to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia.
Karif continued working out student-athletes, offering clinics, individual and group training, passing tournaments, and football camps. He partnered with the Seahawks and local elementary schools, CdM and Newport Harbor High Schools. In 2017, Karif began working out with parents as well. He jokes, “That’s where the money’s at.”
Today, Karif is as hard-working and focused as ever. He can be found daily at EBS (Epps, Byrd, Sports Performance & Fitness), the gym he co-owns with Alex P. and Marcus Epps. Their grand opening was April 9, 2022. He says, “Opening the gym was the next logical step. I needed a place to call home, and Marcus wanted a place to work out in the off-season.” Karif says that his most rewarding experience is now training the kids of some of his first student-athletes.
Karif is a top coach and trainer who has trained over 100 professional athletes, 10 Under Armor All-Americans, 15 Army All-Americans, and thousands of high school and collegiate athletes. He is motivated by seeing individuals excel and by his uncle's fear of calling him “lazy.” He firmly believes, “God puts you on a path, and the rest will work out. Get it done!”
Local Love
"We’ve heard it takes a village to raise a child, and few walk the walk these days to actually see it through. Even less do it in silence, only shining light on others, never seeking self-recognition, and having zero egos at the same time. Karif Byrd has been a friend, uncle, and father to countless young athletes, showing them the path toward a higher purpose. His commitment, hard work and sacrifice for our community is legendary. Karif is a huge asset to Newport Beach and I’m proud to call him my brother." Jeff Fisher
"Karif Byrd has played a significant part in raising every athlete he has trained or met.
He has a unique ability to connect with athletes in a way that makes them achieve their maximum capabilities while enjoying their experience. Karif is the father, brother, and friend to hundreds of kids in our communities.
He instinctively knows which athlete needs to be pushed and which athlete needs to be pulled.
He’s a man of high character whose loyalty and friendship are unquestionable.
Some of the best times I’ve had coaching have been with Karif, even when he was telling me everything that I was doing wrong. Great man, great friend, he’s family." John Griffin
If you’d like to train with the best, you can reach Karif at EBS in Costa Mesa.