Murray grew up in Victoria, British Columbia and attended Spectrum high school, where he practiced soccer, track, cricket and rugby, because it didn't have an American football team. After graduation, he spent a year working with a fork lift in a lumber yard. He played junior football for the Saanich Hornets of the Lower Island Junior Varsity League. He was discovered by Tulane University at a camp run by Canadian football coachCal Murphy. Murray accepted a football scholarship and became a four-year starter. As a senior, he had a perfect season making 35-for-35 field goals. He finished his college career as the school's record holder in field goals, points by a kicker, highest field goal percentage and extra points. In 1987, he was inducted into the Tulane University Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was inducted into the Greater New OrleansSports Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Detroit Lions
Murray was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1980 NFL Draft and replaced veteran kicker Benny Ricardo. He was also selected in the third round of the 1980 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After winning the NFC scoring title with 116 points and setting a franchise record with 27 field goals, he was named to the Pro Bowl where he made 5 field goals and became the only rookie to ever receive the MVP award for the game. In 1981, he made a last-minute field goal to beat the Dallas Cowboys. The play was memorable for the fact that the Lions were able to execute the kick without a huddle and out of a non-kicking formation. In 1983, he made the longest field goal in Lions history. In the NFC Divisional Playoff at San Francisco, with the Lions trailing 24-23 with 11 seconds left in the game, Murray, having earlier made a 54-yard field goal, narrowly missed a 43-yard attempt that sealed a 23-24 loss. In 1985, he set a franchise record with 12 straight field goals. The next year, he set the franchise single-season record with 684 points. In 1988, he was a Pro Bowl alternate. In 1988 and 1989, he tied an NFL record for the highest field goal accuracy in a season. Murray led the team in scoring in each of his first 10 seasons until 1990, when a hip injury kept him out of 5 games and prevented him from leading the team in scoring for the first time in his career, with Barry Sanders being first. On April 29, 1992, he was waived to make room for second round draft choice Jason Hanson. He left as the franchise's All-time leading scorer, ranking 17th in NFL history and was the ninth Lion to have played in 12 seasons.
On October 24, 1992, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs to play one game in place of an injured Nick Lowery. He was released on October 28.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On November 10, 1992, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to replace a struggling Ken Willis. The next year, he had an excellent training camp, but the team decided to keep undrafted free agentMichael Husted, who displayed a stronger leg in kickoffs.
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
On September 14, 1993, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys after an 0-2 start to replace a struggling Lin Elliott. In just 14 games, he had the best season of his career, making 27 out of 32 field goal attempts in the regular season and all 6 in the playoffs. Murray made a game-winning field goal in overtime in the regular season finale against the New York Giants, which determined the NFC East Title and NFC home field advantage throughout the playoffs. On January 30, 1994, he kicked three field goals in Super Bowl XXVIII, earning a Super Bowl ring as a member of the champion Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles
On March 23, 1994, he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles to replace kicker Roger Ruzek.
Washington Redskins (first stint)
On August 8, 1995, he was signed by the Washington Redskins to replace Chip Lohmiller. He was re-signed on May 15, 1996, but did not make the team.
Minnesota Vikings
On September 24, 1997, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings after being out of football for a year, to replace kicker Greg Davis.
Detroit Lions
On June 2, 1999, he signed a one-day contract to retire with the Detroit Lions.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
On December 9, 1999, he was signed and brought out of retirement by the Dallas Cowboys after being out of football for over a year, to replace Richie Cunningham. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
Washington Redskins (second stint)
On November 9, 2000, he was signed by the Washington Redskins as part of a revolving door of kickers and at the time was the league's oldest player. He retired as the 16th highest scorer in NFL history.
Career regular season statistics
Personal life
Murray currently resides in Michigan with his wife Cynthia and daughter Nicole.
