Irish American placekicker Patrick Murray has been signed by the Cleveland Browns for the coming football season.
After playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since graduating Fordham University in 2013, Murray, 25, returned from eight months on injured reserve to try out for the opening day squad at the Cleveland Browns training camp. He brought with him a distinctive kick-style, instantly recognizable to anyone with a background in Gaelic football.
Murray’s athletic career traces back to Rockland Gaelic football club in Bergen County, NJ. There, he followed the footsteps of his father and uncle, natives of Co. Monaghan, who played for their county. They instilled in Murray a powerful appreciation for GAA, and inspired him to put a Gaelic spin on his performances in the NFL.
He was also influenced by the techniques of Irish rugby star Ronan O’Gara. “When I first started,” he told IrishCentral, “I went on YouTube and watched as many clips of Ronan O’Gara as I could, how he prepared for the kick, doing the same thing every time. I’ve tried to bring that into my game even though I have a lot less time than he did.”
Murray is still active within the Rockland GAA community and has said that “I hope it’s in 20 years, but when my NFL career is over, I hope I can come back in here and play for Rockland.” ♦
New Jersey GAA Player Signs with Cleveland Browns
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