Born in Nova Scotia and raised in Southern California, Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray’s path to becoming a football star was not foreordained – yet it happened nonetheless.

Best known for his calm and collected personality and razor-sharp consistency under pressure, Murray demonstrated during his time with the Lions’ special teams that sometimes the most reliable legends do not need to make a lot of noise to be noticed – they simply have to remain strong and split the uprights.

Eddie Murray ended up playing for the Lions by chance.
He was picked up while playing soccer, not football, and eventually turned a casual skill into a full-blown career.

From playing college ball at Tulane to being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1980, he proved himself to be an unshakeable force, going on to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award that very same year (the first and only time in history that a kicker has received such an honor).

Eddie Murray served the Lions for twelve consecutive years, earning a reputation as the team’s all-time leading scorer.
It did not matter whether the game was played in freezing cold or warm conditions inside the Pontiac Silverdome – he consistently proved his worth, gaining much respect and trust from his fellow teammates and coaches.

As for the fans, it became an unspoken fact:

As long as the Lions were inside the 40-yard line, Eddie would take care of the rest.

In a franchise often defined by brutal losses, he was one of the few constants that Detroit football devotees could rely on.

Make no mistake:

Murray was far from flashy, yet he consistently came through in clutch situations, hitting 12 game-winning field goals that led to him becoming one of the top scorers in Lions franchise history.

He was even named to the Pro Bowl in 1998, earning First-Team All-Pro honors, a feat that was almost unheard of for a kicker.

In short, he was the kind of player you did not really focus on until the outcome of an entire game rested on his shoulders.

Then, there he was: lining it up, drilling it through, and walking off as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Upon leaving the Lions, Murray went on to play for several other NFL teams, including the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Redskins (now known as the Commanders, following a rename in February 2022).

He even went on to win a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1993, an achievement that solidified his status as a master of his craft.

However, Murray never forgot his roots.

Detroit remained a focal point of his NFL identity even after many relocations and championship rings. It represented his longest tenure, most consistent production, and most loyal fanbase.

In short, Eddie Murray was not just a Lions kicker.

He was Detroit’s field goal champion – the golden foot behind a thousand Sunday memories.

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: September 22, 2025