Thank you to my close
friend, Kevin Athey, who inspired the idea for the piece you see before you.
On Monday, June 4, 2018, an Oklahoma University centerfielder was taken 9th
overall in the MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics. Meanwhile, back on campus in
Norman, Oklahoma, an OU football player is fighting for his position in a
quarterback battle against another QB Austin Kendall for the starting job. What
may not be known by those who are not ardent fans of OU athletics, is that
those two players are the same Sooner, junior Kyler Murray.
In 2015, Murray would transfer from Texas A&M to OU to play both baseball
and football. For the 2017 season, he would serve largely as a back up to
Heisman Trophy winner, Baker Mayfield, but even with “Magic” Mayfield as the starter,
Murray still found moments to shine. One of his most notable moments being his
start against West Virginia. He would log 52 yards on only 2 pass attempts and
a touchdown, and contributing with 80 yards rushing on just 3 carries.
In the 2018 baseball season, Murray’s batting average was .296, with 10 home
runs, 47 RBI’s and 10 stolen bases. This made him a shoe-in for the MLB draft
in the summer, leaving OU football fans waiting with baited breath, anxious to
see if their future QB would depart for the diamond and the cowhide, before he
even had a chance to play with the pig skin on the grid iron.
I imagine a resounding grown could be heard reverberating
through Sooner nation, as the Oakland A’s selected Murray in the draft and the
Sooners lost an outstanding QB, for surely Murray would not turn down the
opportunity to play professional baseball, not to mention the small sum of
roughly $5 million signing bonus. However, it appears Murray found a way to
have his sports cake and eat it to, for he would sign a rookie contract,
granting him his signing bonus, and also guaranteeing him he will play football
for the Sooners for the 2018 season. By signing such a contract, Murray has
joined the ranks of a very select few athletes, who have been successful in
both sports.
Tune into my next blog to find out who they are.
Spoiler alert: one of them now wears a Chiefs jersey.
Who do you think these select few are? Comment below with your guesses!
OK, here's a question: if you can make millions playing baseball, or maybe, just maybe make millions playing in the NFL; why in the Wide World of Sports would you EVER choose football? OK, I can make millions a year, in baseball, a sport where I can play an entire season and never even sweat, let alone get mauled by linebackers and defensive linemen, not to mention I don't have to stay in shape, and I can play til I'm 40, OR play in the NFL where my career could end, due to injury, at any point. I'd have to stay fit, year round, and can play and earn for maybe 10 years? Tough decision huh?
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