Eddie Murray got his start in soccer before later transitioning to football, where his powerful, accurate leg set him apart from the competition.

He attended Tulane University after growing up in Nova Scotia, Canada, and entered his very first season with the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of the 1980 NFL Draft.

That same year, he appeared in the Pro Bowl as a rookie, marking the start of a long, successful career.

From 1980 to 1991, Murray was a regular kicker for the Detroit Lions, one who quickly became highly recognized for delivering solid performances in close games and always remaining calm under pressure.

He was often the difference maker in a time when the Lions and many other NFL teams played by razor-thin margins.

In 1989, he was named First-Team All-Pro.

Then, in 1992, he left Detroit as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, a record that would follow him for years to come.

After departing from the Lions, Murray played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins before going on to attain NFL glory with Dallas and winning the 1994 Super Bowl XXVIII.

In 1999, he made his return to the Lions for one final season, putting an end to his professional career in the city where it all started.

Murray was very durable, playing 250 games across twenty NFL seasons – an achievement few modern kickers have attained.

Although Murray’s NFL career took him all around the league, he’s most remembered for his 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, where his consistency and quiet confidence earned him much in the way of adoration from fans.

Murray was crucial in a sport where superstars dominated the spotlight.

He didn’t have the flash of Barry Sanders or the acclaim of a top-notch quarterback, but he provided Detroit football fans with something equally as important: strong leadership, and a leg that never missed.

For Detroit, Murray was the Lions’ constant heartbeat – the man who reminded fans and colleagues alike that greatness is measured in both accuracy and dependability.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 20, 2025