Murray became the first player in history ever drafted in the first round by two professional sports leagues. He had been drafted previously into Major League Baseball by the Oakland A’s, number nine in 2018.
His contract allowed him to stay in school and play one year of football at Oklahoma. By virtue of literally winning the lottery, producing 5,362 combined yards passing and rushing with 54 touchdowns, he opted to pursue football. Murray won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma.
And, as they say in the business, the rest is history. He forfeited most of his $4.66 million signing bonus. Murray now can do what others before him have done, like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, and maybe one day attempt to play in both leagues; time will tell.
Obviously, the high-stakes nature of professional sports has created major competition at the top for the sports leagues and the world’s greatest athletes.
“I’m blessed to be here,” Murray said. “I can’t even put it into words. I’m ready to go. One thing they will get out of me [is that] I’m going to go hard every time I touch the field.”
Last year the Cardinals were a mess. They were 3-13, dead last in the NFL, and earned the 2019 first overall pick. Last year their general manager, Steve Keim, was suspended for six months (DUI). They then fired Steve Wilks, their football coach, after one season.
Their quarterback, Josh Rosen, was drafted with the 10th pick overall in the 2018 Draft, making the Cardinals the first NFL team ever to draft a quarterback with the first pick in back-to-back Drafts. Sunday the Cardinals quickly traded Rosen to Miami for a second-round pick.
The Cardinals’ new coach, Kliff Kingsbury, previously was head coach at Texas Tech before the Cardinals gave him the job. Yes, he coached Kansas City Chiefs quarterback superstar and NFL MVP Pat Mahomes when he was there.
Kingsbury has raved about Murray, saying that “Kyler is a freak.” He also said if he could he would take him with the first pick. He did.
So Arizona hires Kingsbury and he drafts Murray. The Red Sea in Arizona is now the home of the Air Raid Offense, which will feature my son, receiver and Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., playing his 16th season; Murray (the Freak) as quarterback; and running back ex-Pro Bowler David Johnson.
“It’s a business,” said Johnson of these developments. “I’ve learned that you really can’t get surprised about many things. I just feel bad for Josh. His first year was tough with all the injuries we had, with everything going on with the team. It’s a tough business.”
In the NFL, every year stands on its own. The salary cap, the ability to literally win the lottery and change your franchise direction — I’ve seen it happen before.
Back in 2004, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. was the highest pick (number three) ever drafted by the Cardinals, specifically by General Manager Rod Graves and Head Coach Dennis Green. In 2009, the foundation of that Draft led to the Cardinals’ Super Bowl season.
Murray, as the number-one pick, in one swoop becomes the highest drafted player ever selected by the Cardinals. This is their 100th year. It’s also the NFL’s 100th season, and NFL stands for “Not For Long.”
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.