Jimmy Murray ’17 sees opportunity where others see stop signs. He first worked his way onto his high school football team and later onto the Holy Cross football team as a walk-on. In 2018, he beat the odds once more, going from undrafted free agent to earning a place on the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs and, ultimately, the active roster.
In January 2019, the 6’5″ 304-pound rookie offensive lineman became the first Holy Cross graduate to make it to an AFC Championship game since 1989.
Though the New England Patriots beat the Chiefs, 37- 31, and Murray did not play in the game, “It was surreal just being there,” he says. “In my sophomore year at Holy Cross, I was sitting in the 300-level seats [at Gillette Stadium] and saw the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Then, a couple years later, I’m going up against [Patriots quarterback Tom] Brady.”
Born into a football-loving family in Chicago, Murray rooted for the Bears, collected football cards and played the game with his four brothers in their back yard. At Loyola Academy High School in Wilmette, Illinois, he grinded it out at practices until he finally convinced his coach to give him a spot on the team.
“During senior year, I got my shot,” he remembers. “And it was the same way in college, too. I knew as long as there was a chance, I would do everything in my power to make it. I never put myself down. My philosophy was: Outwork the guy in front of you.”
At Holy Cross, Murray walked onto Fitton Field hoping to land a spot with the Crusaders. His hard work not only convinced coaches to add him to the roster, but he also started each game during his four-year career and was named captain during his senior season.
His never-say-die attitude drove him, yet he also credits Crusaders offensive line coach Chris Smith ’09 for helping him meet his goals.
“Coach Smith did a great job helping me focus on the fundamentals,” Murray says. “He is very passionate about what he does and made me want to do everything in my power to make him happy. He loves Holy Cross and came in every day with a great attitude.