Calvin Murray (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1958)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Calvin Murray
| number = 42, 33
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|10|18}}
| birth_place = Middle Township, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 185
| high_school = Millville {{avoid wrap|(Millville, New Jersey)}}
| college = Ohio State
| draftyear = 1981
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 110
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1981}}–{{NFL Year|1982}})
- Arizona Wranglers ({{USFL Year|1983}})
- Denver Gold ({{USFL Year|1984}})
| highlights =
- First-team All-Big Ten (1980)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 134
| statlabel2 = Average
| statvalue2 = 5.8
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 0
| pfr = MurrCa20
}}
Leon Calvin Murray (born October 18, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft and played from 1981 to 1982 for the Eagles. He also played in 1983 for the Arizona Wranglers and in 1984 for the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL).
Born in Middle Township, New Jersey and raised in Woodbine, Murray attended Millville Senior High School.Weinberg, David. [https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/eagles/south-jersey-s-football-stars-reflect-on-how-the-nfl/article_e5489e7e-0ce8-11e6-a321-93c75cda6334.html "South Jersey's football stars reflect on how the NFL draft has changed"], The Press of Atlantic City, April 28, 2016. Accessed November 13, 2018. "Calvin Murray (Woodbine, Millville), fourth round, Philadelphia Eagles" He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
College career
In a game against Washington State on September 22, 1979, Murray set an Ohio State Buckeyes record for longest pass reception when he caught an 86-yard pass from Art Schlichter. Murray led the Buckeyes in rushing in 1979 and 1980. He led the Big Ten in rushing in 1980.{{cite news |title=Eagles lose Giammona for remainder of season |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Ledger |location=Philadelphia |date=October 28, 1981 |page=9D |accessdate=2010-02-10 |quote=Player personnel director Carl Peterson said free agent halfback Calvin Murray, the team's fourth-round draft choice from Ohio State, had been added to the Eagles roster to replace Giammona. Murray led the Big 10 in rushing as a senior, and gained 21 yards on eight carries for the Eagles during the exhibition season. He also returned four kickoffs for 94 yards. |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1347&dat=19811028&id=1iIVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3538,4399751}} He was voted as Ohio State's most valuable player by his teammates in 1980.
Professional career
=Philadelphia Eagles=
Murray was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft. He was released prior to the start of the 1981 season, but was re-signed on October 28 when Louie Giammona was knocked out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. During the 1981 season he appeared in 7 games, in which he rushed 23 times for 134 yards, caught one pass for 7 yards, and returned one kickoff for 14 yards.{{cite web |title=Calvin Murray |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MurrCa20.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |accessdate=5 September 2019}}
In 1982 he appeared in one game, returning three kickoffs for 42 yards.
=Arizona Wranglers=
In 1983, Murray signed with the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League and was the 12th highest rusher in the league that year with 699 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Murray also had 40 receptions and three receiving touchdowns.
=Denver Gold=
In 1984, Murray signed with the Denver Gold.
Personal
Since retiring from football, Murray has resided in Columbus, Ohio. He spent several years as a purchasing manager for Franklin University in downtown Columbus.
Murray's son, Cal, is a former running back for the Miami RedHawks.{{cite web |title=#43 Cal Murray |url=http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/murray_cal00.html |publisher=Miami Athletics Football |accessdate=2010-02-10}} He was drafted by Rhein Fire in the 22nd round of the 2007 NFL Europa Free Agent Draft.
Murray converted to Orthodox Judaism and adopted the Hebrew name Yosef.{{cite web| url = http://www.aish.com/sp/so/From-Rose-Bowl-to-Rashi-My-Unique-Journey-to-Judaism.html?s=show| title = From Rose Bowl to Rashi: My Unique Journey to Judaism}}[http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180705/former-ohio-state-nfl-running-back-calvin-murray-details-his-journey-to-judaism Danae King, Columbus Dispatch Jul 5, 2018]
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=Ohio State Buckeyes
Football Season MVP | before=Jim Laughlin | after=Art Schlichter | years=1980}}
{{succession box | title=Ohio State Buckeyes
Starting Tailbacks | before=Ron Springs | after=Tim Spencer |years=1979-1980}}
{{s-end}}
{{Eagles1981DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Calvin}}
Category:People from Middle Township, New Jersey
Category:People from Woodbine, New Jersey
Category:Millville High School (New Jersey) alumni
Category:Players of American football from Cape May County, New Jersey
Category:American football running backs
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Chicago Blitz players
Category:Jewish American players of American football