Sometimes a player is special. So special they go unnoticed until they show why or how they are special. For the Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray was that special player. “Steady” Eddie, that was his nickname. When Murray would enter the game be it a field goal or extra point the Lions were coming away with points. Eddie Murray ranks second all-time in Lions kicking history. He should be in the Hall of Fame.
The Detroit Lions selected kicker Eddie Murray in the seventh round (166th overall) in the 1980 draft. Murray is easily one of if not the best seventh round draft pick in Lions history.
In his 12 NFL seasons kicking for the Detroit Lions, Murray was very consistent. He was loved by Lions fans and still beloved to this day. Having a career kicking percentage of 75.7 is more than enough to have Murray in conversation for the Hall of Fame. Even though the Hall of Fame has an unfair bias against offensive linemen and kickers.
All was not rosy for Eddie Murray he did miss the game winning field goal in the 1983 Divisional Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. However, that was not completely on Murray. The old Candlestick Park in San Francisco had swirling winds many of games played there be it the 49ers or Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants.
The ball was snapped, Murray approached the ball which was well on it’s was to going through the uprights and they a wind gust pushed the ball to the side. Lions fans were not upset or angry at Murray, but the wind gust that stinking wind gust.
Eddie Murray is a Detroit Lions legend. He will be at former Lions teammate Jeff Chadwick‘s Legends Camp. Instructing children the proper way to kicking the ball, from lining the kick up to the follow through with the leg.
As a player who should have a bust in Canton Ohio, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that would be a remarkable gift to be able to learn from a special player and a child would always remember they learned from one of the best to ever do it.
