Since we are in the NFL offseason and training camp is almost underway, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at past and present NFL athletes and where they are now.

This segment will be on former Dallas Cowboys 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year running back DeMarco Murray.

Quick Biography: 

DeMarco Murray was a multi-sport athlete at the very sports driven Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, He not only played football, but also basketball and ran track. He received numerous awards for his dominating performance on the Gridiron and was an All-Conference selection three years in a row. Murray rushed for almost 2,000 yards (1,947) during his senior season and earned the 2005 Sunset Region Offensive Player of the Year award, one of many accolades during his career.

Murray’s next step was to reach the college stage and showcase his talent. He committed to the University of Oklahoma and during his stay, he broke four University football records that still stand today. The records include the following: All-time leader in touchdowns (65), All-time leader in all-purpose yards (6,718), All-time leader in receiving yards for a running back (1,571), All-time leader in kickoff return average (27.6). The only record that he originally broke but has since been taken away from him was the All-time leader in points scored (390), which was surpassed in 2014 by Sooners kicker Michael Hunnicutt. Other than that, Murray’s records at the University still stand today over a decade later.

Setting his eyes on an NFL career, Murray was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third-round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent four short seasons in Dallas where he won the 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award by rushing for 1,845 yards and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns. Murray also was helped quarterback Tony Romo in the passing game with his ability to catch swing passes out of the backfield. The Cowboys in 2014 won 12 games and reached the Divisional Round before losing in heartbreaking fashion in what is now called the “Dez Caught It Game”.

Murray would end up signing a massive offseason contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, a few short months after the conclusion of his record setting season with the Cowboys. He spent one season in Philadelphia before heading to Tennessee and finishing his career there.

School Details: 

• Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas, Nevada
• University of Oklahoma (2006-2010)

NFL Statistics: 

2011: Cowboys: 164 Carries | 897 Rushing Yards | 5.5 Average | 2 Rushing TDs | 183 Receiving Yards | 0 TDs

2012: Cowboys: 161 Carries | 663 Rushing Yards | 4.1 Average | 4 Rushing TDs | 251 Receiving Yards | 0 TDs

2013: Cowboys: 217 Carries | 1,121 Rushing Yards | 5.2 Average | 9 Rushing TDs | 350 Receiving Yards | 1 TD

2014: Cowboys: 392 Carries | 1,845 Rushing Yards | 4.7 Average | 13 Rushing TDs | 416 Receiving Yards | 0 TDs (Regular Season)

2014 Postseason: 44 Carries | 198 Rushing Yards | 4.5 Average | 2 Rushing TDs | 27 Receiving Yards | 0 TDs

2015: Eagles: 193 Carries | 702 Rushing Yards | 3.6 Average | 6 Rushing TDs | 322 Receiving Yards | 1 TD

2016: Titans: 293 Carries | 1,287 Rushing Yards | 4.4 Average | 9 Rushing TDs | 377 Receiving Yards | 3 TDs

2017: Titans: 184 Carries | 659 Rushing Yards | 3.6 Average | 6 Rushing TDs | 266 Receiving Yards | 1 TD

Total: 1,604 Carries for 7,174 Yards, 4.5 Average, 49 Rushing TDs, 2,165 Receiving Yards and 6 TDs.

Where is he now? 

Although Murray has retired from football as of 2018, his short stint in the NFL made him one of the best running backs during the mid 2010’s. He is currently coaching college football at his college Alma Mater the University of Oklahoma where he was named the running backs coach in 2020.

When Murray retired from the game, he told reporters that it was indeed time. He is at peace with his decision and is now coaching the younger generation of players at the school that he accomplished so much at. If he continues to rise up the coaching ladder, we may see him coaching in the NFL at one of the previous franchises that he was a part of.

As for now, one should appreciate his dominance on the field and how he conducted himself in a professional manner along with his journey to help the newer group of athletes. He has and always will be a class act and it is great to see that he is doing what he loves with the game that gave him so much.