MSU’S Murphy shines in honor of son, memory of late mother
When Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead asked his players to write a letter last week explaining their motivations for why they play the game of football, safety Marcus Murphy didn’t even have to think.
There was no question in the West Point native’s mind.
Why does Murphy play football? What drives him on the field? Easy. He wrote he plays to honor the memory of his late mother, Demetrick, and his son, Mason, who is battling a rare genetic abnormality and is in need of a bone marrow transplant.
“They’re my reason why I’m doing everything I’m doing today,” Murphy said after Saturday’s game at Arkansas.
It has been an incredibly trying several months for Murphy. He unexpectedly lost his mom back in January. That came on top of the news that Mason was dealing with health issues. The process to find Mason a bone marrow transplant match is still ongoing.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Murphy has had to miss several games this season due to a violation of team rules. That has, at times, kept him off the gridiron – one of the few places Murphy can go to get his mind off of things to a degree.
This past Saturday at Arkansas though, Murphy was on the field. He was there once again playing for his mom and son. Murphy didn’t let them down.
Late in the second quarter, Murphy intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. It was a special, special moment for Murphy and the teammates that have seen Murphy hurt lately.
“I was fixing to run on the field, but I was held back,” MSU running back Kylin Hill sad. “I was so happy for him. He’s been through so much. When stuff like that happens, it’s just like God is watching over him.”
Head coach Joe Moorhead was like Hill. He was overjoyed to see Murphy’s
big moment that helped the Bulldogs top the Razorbacks 54-24.
“(Murphy has) gone through things as a 17 or 18-year old kid that would break most grown men,” Moorhead said. “For him to not just be able to be here at Mississippi State, but to flourish – he’s doing great academically and taking care of his son – he’s a guy we’re going to continue to fight for and he’s got a very, very bright future at Mississippi State.”
Murphy didn’t just feel the love from his teammates and coaches on Saturday though. He felt there were extra eyes looking down on him from above too.
Murphy said when he ran into the end zone, he knew his mom was watching. The touchdown was for her and for Mason.
Those two are and will forever probably be Murphy’s ‘why.’ He has no plans but to give them his best when he gets the chance to play.
“I know I’m making him proud and making her proud,” Murphy said.