Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Frankie Taddeo

Ex-Sooners QB Kyler Murray Honored by Oklahoma With Statue

While Oklahoma is looking toward a future under second-year coach Brent Venables and an impending move to the SEC, it took some time to honor a former great on Saturday.

The Sooners unveiled a statue honoring former quarterback and current Arizona Cardinal Kyler Murray outside Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

After transferring from Texas A&M, Murray only started one full season for Oklahoma, leading the Sooners to a spot in the College Football Playoffs on the strength of a superb season that earned him Heisman trophy honors. 

In 2017, he backed up Baker Mayfield only attempting 21 passes. But in his standout ’18 campaign, the dual-threat signal-caller threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

The statue features Murray in his patented No. 1 jersey sporting a headband—something he continues as starting quarterback for Arizona in the NFL.

Murray’s statue is displayed in area named Heisman Park, joining six other Oklahoma Heisman winners: Baker Mayfield, Sam Bradford, Billy Sims, Steve Owens, Jason White and Billy Vessels.

Murray addressed the fans prior to the school’s Spring game on Saturday: “This is crazy to have this many people show love to me and support me. I always just wanted to give my all every time I touched the ball. It was a blessing to be here. This is a surreal moment for me and I can not thank ya’ll enough.”

A contingent of members of the Cardinals, including new coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort, were in attendance joining Venables as well as Murray’s former coach Bob Stoops.

At halftime of the school's Spring Game, Murray had the Sooner faithful buzzing when he stated:  "I had a rocky start to my college career.  I chose the wrong school."

Even though his time in Norman was short, the results were prolific.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.