The Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray Jr. played with a heavy heart in the aftermath of his brother’s death, and he led the team to victory in their season opener.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray Jr. playing with heavy heart in aftermath of brother’s death is a story about the Los Angeles Chargers player, Kenneth Murray Jr., who was playing with his team on Sunday, despite the fact that he had just lost his older brother to suicide.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — His voice has a sorrow in it. If you don’t know where to look, you wouldn’t see it, but it’s there — the sort of sorrow you’d never want on anybody.
Kenneth Murray Jr., a 6-foot-2, 241-pound linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers, is a sculpted athlete who is enthusiastic about the game of football. He is also very concerned about his family, particularly his adoptive siblings, who all have significant special needs.
Kenneth Jr. was 11 years old when his father, a Baptist preacher, and mother, a retired police officer, heard about the children through his church congregation and took them in. Kenneth Jr. was heartbroken when his middle son, the one he was closest to, Lenny, died suddenly in April on what would have been his 14th birthday.
Kenneth Jr. had promised to look after the children if his parents were to die. But no one anticipated anything like this happening to one of the kids.
“I was doing something with football one day when I received a phone call, and I had to leave everything and go on a plane to go through it,” he said. “Since then, I’ve mostly kept to myself.”
To cope with his sorrow, he turned to Twitter:
Today was meant to be your birthday, but it turned out differently than you could have imagined. Without a doubt, the hardest person in my family and the toughest person I’ve ever met… Little bro, fly high, you’ll never be forgotten. Until we meet again, I’ll be your motivation. Lenny Kravitz, rest in peace. 4.30.21 / 4.30.21 / 4.30.21 / 4.
April 30, 2021 — K9 (@KennethMurray)
Murray would only remark that Lenny’s death was “like a terrible nightmare” and something he tries not to think about since he doesn’t want to provide further information.
He merely stated, “It’s too painful to do in the media.”
Niya, Lenny, and James, the three adoptive children, were all born with a chromosomal defect in which a portion of a chromosome is lacking essential genetic information. Lenny was the most seriously disabled, requiring the use of a wheelchair. Kenneth Jr.’s greatest fan was likewise him.
Kenneth Jr. stated, “He was very excited about going to the games.” “That’s why it’s such a thorn in my side.”
Kenneth played football at the University of Oklahoma, and the family would often travel the seven-hour journey from their home in Missouri City, Texas, to Norman, Oklahoma. He started three years as linebacker for the Sooners, recording 334 tackles and 9.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2018, he set a school record with 155 tackles, including a school-record 28 in an overtime victory against Army.
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Murray was named co-Big 12 defensive freshman of the year and second-team all-conference in 2017 and 2018, respectively, before being named first-team All-Big 12 and third-team All-America in 2019. His work ethic was unrivaled. He’d frequently watch five to six hours of movies before class in the morning. And when the Chargers chose him with the No. 23 selection in the first round of the 2020 draft, his whole family was there as GM Tom Telesco made the decision that would alter his football life.
He’s taken his work ethic to the NFL, where he recorded 107 tackles as a rookie last season and 20 through three games this season with the Chargers (2-1), who face the Raiders (3-0) on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Murray will miss Monday’s game due to an ankle injury sustained during Saturday’s practice.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa stated, “We have a fantastic bunch on defense with Kenneth, we have him and [S] Derwin [James Jr..” “Every week, every day, all of the players bring enthusiasm to practice, so they’ve been fantastic.”
Renaldo Hill, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, stated, “He has worked very hard.” “We’ve discussed putting him downhill, with him being able to go from sideline to sideline. He has all of these characteristics.”
Kenneth and his biological sister, Kimberly, had to grow up quickly when the adopted children arrived at the Murray household 11 years ago. They assisted their parents in transporting the children to different doctor’s visits and treatment sessions.
Niya is currently 19 years old and can read at a primary school level. James, the eldest, is now 12 years old and uses a wheelchair. Lenny was the group’s sports enthusiast, spending hours in front of the television watching whatever sport was on. Kenneth Jr. was a favorite of theirs, and they all enjoyed going to Oklahoma to see him play.
“When they watch me perform, you can see their cheeks light up with delight.”
Kenneth Murray’s family adopted three children with special needs when he was a youngster. His brothers will now get the opportunity to watch him play for the Los Angeles Chargers. pic.twitter.com/oROK06MnTr #NFLDraft
April 24, 2020 — ESPN (@espn)
Lenny and Kenneth Jr. would go out in the backyard and imitate playing catch and other sporting activities as best they could.
Kenneth Jr. believes his family and religion have helped him get through the difficult moments since Lenny’s death five months ago. He specifically mentions his parents while speaking about his compassion.
Murray explained, “I’m from them.” “It’s where I get everything from.”
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, asked Murray in his pre-draft interview what obstacle has shaped who he is on and off the field. He used his upbringing with his siblings as an example.
He said, “I don’t see it as a setback, but as a gift.” “When I was a kid, my mother and father performed things that were really unselfish.”
In an interview, there are times when you discover something about a candidate that has nothing to do with football. LB @OU Football In his interview with the #DallasCowboys, Kenneth Murray delivered one of those moments. pic.twitter.com/rxq6vYKn8X
April 8, 2020 — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys)
It’s what made him want to serve as a church counselor over the summers as a kid. Last month, he also volunteered at El Modena High School in Orange, California, to assist celebrate the Chargers’ high school coach of the month, Matt Mitchell, and to participate in the pregame coin toss. Murray is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and visits the Oklahoma Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital on a regular basis. Following the draft, his first job was to put up long-term care funds for his siblings.
Murray treasures every moment he spends with his brothers, which is why Lenny’s death was so devastating.
“You learn to appreciate the little things because you realize the minor objectives that we as human beings take for granted a lot of the time,” Murray said. “And you learn to value them when you see someone who is unable to accomplish those things but yet manages to be happy.”
“That was Lenny,” says the narrator.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray Jr. playing with heavy heart in aftermath of brother’s death is a story about the Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray Jr. who is playing with a heavy heart after his brother died. Reference: chargers schedule.
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