West Virginia trip more than just business for Kenneth Murray
There was a time just a few years ago when Kenneth Murray wanted nothing more than to play football for West Virginia.
Murray, Oklahoma’s sophomore starting linebacker now, was connected to the Mountaineers thanks to his uncle, Lind Murray.
But Friday night in Morgantown, West Virginia, Murray will suit up for the first time at Milan Puskar Stadium, not as a Mountaineer but in the crimson and cream of the Sooners (7 p.m., ESPN).
Lind played for West Virginia, a defensive back who intercepted a pass to help the Mountaineers win the 1981 Peach Bowl over Florida.
He’s also the reason Kenneth — known as Kenny to his family — played football.
Lind moved in with his brother, Kenneth Sr., in the Houston area when Kenneth Jr. was about 12.
It didn’t take long before Lind was coaching his nephew’s basketball team.
“Kenny had a low tolerance for folks hitting him or fouling him,” Kenneth Murray Sr. said.
When Murray would get fouled, he’d immediately seek out revenge, not being content to let the call stand as punishment.
“He liked to fight,” Lind said. “If somebody fouled him, he had to get them back . ... So I said, ‘Man, you ain’t no basketball player, you’re a football player. That way if somebody hits you, you get to hit them back.”
Lind quickly talked his brother into letting the youngster play football. Kenneth Jr. blossomed in that sport, and
it didn’t take long for him to want to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.
An unofficial visit to West Virginia, though, soured those dreams.
“West Virginia had a chance to get Kenny and they chose not to recruit him,” Lind said. “I remember telling the coach up here that he was either going to play for them or play for somebody else against them.
“I figured they should’ve at least given him a shot or at least a little better look than what they did . ... But I figured wherever he was meant to play, he’s meant to play and he’ll carve out his own legacy at Oklahoma.”
Last year, Kenneth Jr. helped the Sooners beat West Virginia at home. This year, he’ll try to do it in Morgantown, where his uncle relocated about a year ago.
The Murray family was already in Morgantown on Tuesday, preparing for Thanksgiving at Lind’s house before watching Kenneth Jr. play the next night.
And there was never any doubt what Lind will be wearing.
He’ll attend the West Virginia alumni tailgate before the game, but he’ll do it in Sooners gear.
“Even though he’s going against my alumni, I’m cheering for him. It ain’t even close,” Lind said. “Blood is thicker than water.”