Kyler Murray, born on August 7, 1997, in Bedford, Texas, is a professional football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Renowned for his dual-threat capabilities, Murray has made a significant impact in the NFL since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. His athletic prowess extends beyond football, as he was also drafted ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, making him the first athlete to be selected in the first round of both sports. Murray’s dynamic playing style, combining precise passing with exceptional mobility, has earned him recognition as one of the NFL’s most exciting talents.
Siblings
Kyler has two step-siblings from his father’s previous relationship: an older brother, Kevin Murray Jr., and an older sister, Precious Murray. Both siblings maintain a low profile, with limited public information available about their personal lives. Kevin Murray Jr. is reported to be an outfielder committed to the Stevenson University baseball team in Elkridge, Maryland, suggesting he has followed in the family’s athletic tradition, albeit in a different sport from Kyler’s football career.
However, unlike Kyler, Kevin Jr. does not appear to have pursued a professional sports career at the same high-profile level. Precious Murray, Kyler’s step-sister, is even more private, with scarce details about her life or profession available. Despite their preference for staying out of the spotlight, Kyler’s father, Kevin Murray, has stated that both Kevin Jr. and Precious are immensely proud of Kyler’s accomplishments.
Career
Murray’s athletic journey began at Allen High School in Texas, where he led his football team to three consecutive state championships and an undefeated 42–0 record as a starting quarterback. His stellar high school performance earned him the Gatorade Football Player of the Year award in 2014 and recognition as a five-star recruit. Murray initially committed to Texas A&M University, where he played as a freshman in 2015, showcasing his dual-threat ability with 686 passing yards and 335 rushing yards in 11 games. After a competitive season, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, sitting out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules. In 2017, he served as a backup to Baker Mayfield, but in 2018, Murray took over as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. That year, he threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the Sooners to a 12–2 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Murray’s professional career began when the Arizona Cardinals selected him first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he threw for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Murray continued to excel, leading the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021, their first appearance since 2015. Despite a setback in 2022 due to a torn ACL, he made a strong return in 2023 and, as of the 2024 season, has amassed 19,498 passing yards, 115 touchdowns, and 2,694 rushing yards with 27 rushing touchdowns. Murray’s versatility and playmaking ability have solidified his status as a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ franchise, with a five-year contract extension signed in 2022 worth up to $230.5 million.
Accolades
Murray’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that highlight his exceptional talent. In high school, he was named Gatorade Football Player of the Year (2014) and Mr. Texas Football twice, a first in the award’s history. At Oklahoma, he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2018, becoming the seventh Oklahoma player to claim the honor and contributing to the school’s back-to-back Heisman wins. His 2018 season also earned him the Associated Press Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors.
In the NFL, Murray’s rookie season performance garnered the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2020 and 2021) and holds several Arizona Cardinals franchise records, including the most rushing yards (2,448) and rushing touchdowns (26) by a quarterback. Murray’s unique achievement of being drafted in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts further underscores his extraordinary athletic versatility.