Patrick Murray was a longshot to make the Buccaneers final 53-man roster. Just as he was a longshot to have a professional football career out of New Jersey prep powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, so few Division I program came calling despite an impressive two years as the nationally ranked Ironmen’s kicker and punter.
Yet, here is the free-agent rookie signee from Mahwah, N.J., a week before the NFL’s first Sunday of the year, as the starting place-kicker for Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers went with Murray over veteran Connor Barth.
“I had kids who maybe had more talent, but nobody would outwork Patrick or be more committed,” Don Bosco coach Greg Toal told The Rumble’s Zach Braziller. “Patrick was one of those guys that was totally dedicated to the weight room, making himself better.”
An All-American kicker and punter at Fordham, Murray, 23, didn’t receive a training camp invite in 2013, so he finished up his degree, tried out for several teams and landed with the Bucs in part because former Jets assistant general manager Scott Cohen migrated to Tampa Bay and was impressed by Murray, according to his dad Aidan, during rookie workouts with the Jets following the 2013 draft.
It all began with Aidan, a Gaelic football player growing up in northern Ireland who taught his son how to kick. Gaelic football is a family tradition, a sport played on a huge field without passing. The ball is advanced by punting and attempting to drop-kick it through or below uprights similar to a soccer-style goal.
Aidan played Gaelic football professionally in Ireland for County Monaghan, and his brothers were national all-stars.
“In America they grow up throwing the ball. We grow up kicking the ball,” Aidan said in a phone interview. “It doesn’t matter what shape the ball is. If you’re a good striker of the ball, you can kick it.”
Patrick developed as a kicker by playing Gaelic football. He saw natural ability in his son from a young age and thought he could find a niche in American football, by kicking “the funny ball,” as he likes to call it. The sport is now the family’s focus. A road trip has been scheduled to Tampa Bay for next weekend when the Buccaneers host the Panthers.
“You can’t go much higher than the NFL,” Aidan said.
Tuesday’s Children giving Franco Amazin’ honor
Days after 9/11, the Mets and Tuesday’s Children formed a bond that is still strong after 13 years.
On Sept. 9, Mets Hall of Famer John Franco will be honored at Tuesday’s Children’s Roots of Resilience Gala at the Conrad Hotel in Manhattan. Franco said he knows that even though his name will be on the award, he is accepting on behalf of the Mets family.
“We can’t stop supporting those kids who were affected by September 11,” Franco said. “Our ownership, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, our front office and our players always have been guided by one thing: You can never forget. I, on behalf of everyone, accept this award proudly.”
Tuesday’s Children has spent the past 13 years working with more than 10,000 individuals through direct services and continuous outreach, including more than 1,500 families who lost an immediate family member and more than 2,000 children who lost a parent during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Since 2001, the Mets have invited youngsters from Tuesday’s Children to Shea Stadium, and now Citi Field, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballparks. The children meet with players and get autographs and souvenirs, before watching the game from seats provided by the team.
“Tuesday’s Children has been incredibly fortunate to work closely with the New York Mets since right after the events of September 11th,” said Terry Grace Sears, the organization’s executive director. “The team’s support throughout the years has been unwavering, and their impact on the lives of the children has been immense.”
To purchase tickets for the Roots of Resilience Gala, go to tuesdayschildren.org.
Fairfield AD has pet project
Fairfield Athletic Director Gene Doris is a champion of the underdog, literally.
The long-time AD proudly and lovingly owns three rescue dogs — Brody, Sandy and Winston — and has been a pet adoption advocate for two decades, supporting such agencies as the Center for Animal Care and Control in Brooklyn, and Connecticut’s Humane Society and Labs4Rescue, a group that he volunteers for to place Labs with good families. Starting with his first rescue, a beagle named Coach in 1997, to his most recent earlier this year, another beagle named Winston, Doris has been a friend to the canine in need.
“I firmly believe in pet adoption,” he said. “There are so many in need. I had Coach until he was 16 and a half. Sandy is now 14. They are great dogs and all they needed was a second chance.
Somehow, I think they know that and that is why they are so much fun to have. They are always happy to see me and actually push me to get long walks in which is good for all of us.”
The adoption of Winston came with more than a little resistance, but came to fruition through Doris’s “three’s the charm” persistence.
“After I had to put Coach down in 2013, we were back at two dogs, and it seemed it would stay that way until I received an email from a co-worker in May showing the plight of a group of beagles rescued from a laboratory in California. I visited the Connecticut Humane Society website and saw a photo of a beagle named Winston. He was recovering from several medical conditions, and my first visit to the kennel was not a good meeting; he snarled and growled at me the whole time. I came back the next day and brought a treat. He was better, but still not overly friendly. On day three, when he warmed up a bit, I brought Brody and Sandy to meet him to see if would get along. They decided he needed to be part of the family. Winston couldn’t be happier.”
New Topps cards to feature fantasy tips
The Topps Company and NFL.com have teamed for the first time to create cards that can help not just the casual collector and NFL fan, but millions of fantasy players as well. The new cards feature fantasy strategies, tips and fantasy football content that can enhance trade valuations throughout the season.
More than 300 cards are featured in the set, which can give fantasy players a little more added edge when deciding whether they should start or sit Geno Smith or Victor Cruz after Week 1.
“Participation in fantasy football is enormous and continues to grow annually, so this is a great way to reach new audiences and make sure our product stays relevant amongst NFL fans,” said Marc Stephens, marketing manager at Topps, who has helped mold the company to a younger demo with partnerships with Major League Soccer and the UFC in the past year.