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O.J. Murdock

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O.J. Murdock
Personal information
Born:(1987-02-15)February 15, 1987
Died:July 30, 2012(2012-07-30) (aged 25)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Tampa (FL) Middleton
College:South Carolina (2005–2006)
Pearl River CC (2007)
Fort Hays State (2009–2010)
Position:Wide receiver
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Second-team All-MIAA (2009, 2010)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Orenthal James Murdock (February 15, 1987 – July 30, 2012) was an American professional football wide receiver.

Early life

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Murdock, an alumnus of Middleton High School in Tampa, Florida, was known for his ability at track and field and football. He was ranked a 4 star recruit and the 11th best wide receiver in the country by 247Sports, whilst simultaneously winning a title in a state track and field final. He was expected to commit to Florida to play both sports, but chose South Carolina instead.[1][2]

College career

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Murdock "redshirted" his first season at South Carolina. He then played just 4 games with 1 reception in the 2006 season before being arrested for shoplifting in Tampa, and being suspended indefinitely from the team.[3][4]

Murdock then transferred to Pearl River Community College, but he broke his collarbone. He was then offered a scholarship from Marshall but he did not meet the academic requirements.[4]

He then transferred to Fort Hays State in 2009. In his 2009 season, Murdock started and played 10 games and had 697 receiving yards, leading the team in multiple categories and earning a Second-team all MIAA honor.[5]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m) 		197 lb
(89 kg) 		4.50 s 4.37 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6]

On July 26, 2011, Murdock was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans.[7]

On July 31, 2011, Murdock tore his Achilles tendon, ending his season.[8]

Death

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On July 30, 2012, Murdock was found in his car parked outside his former high school, Middleton High School, with self-inflicted gunshot wounds at 8:30 am. He was rushed to Tampa General Hospital where he died later that morning. Murdock had texted multiple former coaches before his suicide. Murdock had not appeared for training camp with his team, the Tennessee Titans, since June due to a personal issue, according to the Titans. Although Murdock was meant to appear on July 27, he reassured his head coach Mike Munchak that he would on July 29, though he never did.[9]

His former college teammate Kenny McKinley also died from suicide less than 2 years earlier.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "O.J. Murdock, Middleton, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Berlinicke, Jeff. "Murdock Hopes to Balance Track and Football Careers". flrunners.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "USC football player arrested in Tampa". October 18, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Dillon, Dennis (September 26, 2012). "Dennis Dillon: Loss of 'wonderful' man the only sure thing in Murdock suicide". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "O.J. Murdock - Football". FHSU Athletics. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "O.J. Murdock".
  7. ^ "O.J. Murdock Signed By Tennessee Titans". FHSU Athletics. July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Titans lose 2 players to Achilles' injuries". FOX Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Police: Titans player dies in apparent suicide". ESPN.com. July 30, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Where did things go wrong for McKinley, Murdock?". ESPN.com. December 18, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
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