Kyler Murray’s Unparalleled Achievement in MLB and NFL Drafts
Unheard of in the history of the MLB and NFL Drafts, Kyler Murray achieved a feat that distinguished him from even the likes of acclaimed athletes such as Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Murray’s unique achievement: becoming a first-round selection in the drafts of both leagues.
Today, as Murray displays his talents on the football field as the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, it might be easy to overlook that he faced a significant decision at one point in his career. Yet, reflecting on it underscores what a sophisticated athlete Murray is, capable of excelling to the greatest echelons of multiple sports.
In the MLB’s 2018 Draft, the Oakland Athletics secured Murray, an outfielder, with their No. 9 overall pick. However, this happened before his crowning moment in the subsequent year when he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL’s 2019 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Athletics recognized the potential challenge they would face in signing Murray, and so allowed him to pursue his love for football at Oklahoma. There, in his final autumn, he was awarded the prestigious Heisman Trophy for his remarkable football feats.
Despite originally signing Murray for a $4.9-million bonus, the A’s were cognizant that he was likely leaning towards a career in football. Consequently, the speculated baseball offer to retain Murray escalated to $14 million. However, even this generous sum proved to be inadequate.
Stipulating his return to a baseball career, the A’s still maintain the rights to Murray. Seemingly, Murray’s raw potential in both sports extends an open invitation for him to return to baseball, whenever he opts to do so.
Murray’s versatility in sports started from his formative years in high school out of Allen HS, situated north of Dallas. His high school baseball stats over two seasons project the proficiency that he possessed even at such an early stage in his sporting journey.
His sophomore year at Allen High School witnessed him scoring a .302 batting average, five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Additionally, Murray showed his speed on the field with an impressive 20 stolen bases.
Following this, as a senior, Murray showcased his baseball skills once more with a .286 batting average, accompanied by a double, a pair of triples, and a home run. The consistency he demonstrated over his tenure in high school marked the beginnings of his exceptional athleticism.
Murray made high school history by becoming the first-ever player to be named an Under Armour All-American in not one, but two sports: baseball and football. In his concluding baseball season, he showcased an excellent .296 batting average with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
Eventually, Murray decided that he couldn’t juggle both sports. He chose to focus on his football career, a decision that paid off with a formidable rookie contract with the Cardinals, valued at approximately $35 million.
His dedication and talent on the football field paid off dramatically, as his second contract with the Cardinals amounted to an astounding $230 million. From a financial standpoint, his choice to stick to football seemed to be the right decision.
A return to baseball would be difficult in terms of the rigorous process to rise from the minor leagues to MLB. However, transitioning to NFL brought instant stardom as a rookie for the Cardinals. If there ever was an athlete capable of striding between two sports with such prowess, Kyler Murray could possibly fit the bill.