Kyler Murray Says He’s Committed To Playing In The NFL
Feb 11, 2019, 12:00 AM
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
by Andrew Pasquini
Heisman Trophy winner and Oakland Athletics top-draft pick Kyler Murray announced he will be pursuing a career in the NFL instead of Major League Baseball.
Murray tweeted a statement Monday morning saying, “Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback.”
— Kyler Murray (@TheKylerMurray) February 11, 2019
The A’s drafted Murray with the ninth overall pick in last June’s MLB draft. The A’s allowed Murray to play his junior season of football, as Murray played both baseball and football at Oklahoma University.
Murray declared for the NFL draft in January and the decision to play in the NFL comes to no surprise. Position plays report to spring training for the Athletics this Friday and the NFL Combine is scheduled to take place on February 26.
With Murray deciding to play in the NFL, the quarterback will have to return $1.29 million of the $1.5 million signing bonus the A’s gave him last year, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Murray also will forfeit the $3.16 million he was owed on March 1.
The decision hurts the A’s because they will not receive a compensation pick for Murray but they will retain his rights by placing him on the restricted list.
