‘No more soccer’ for Aaron Murray
ATHENS — Not quite two weeks after spraining his right ankle in a pickup soccer game on campus, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is off crutches, out of the walking boot, starting to do a little running and looking forward to the start of spring football practice.
“No more soccer,” Murray said Thursday. “No basketball, soccer, baseball, softball — none of that stuff. Just football from here on out.”
He said the ankle injury occurred “just going up for a header. Just came down wrong on it. Just rolled it a little bit.” The scariest part, he said, was the thought of telling coaches Mark Richt and Mike Bobo.
On the ground immediately after the injury, “I was, like, ‘Oh man, I don’t want to tell Coach Bobo,’” Murray said. “I was, like, ‘This is not going to be good.’”
But he said the ankle “didn’t hurt too bad, just swelled up a little bit, so I [thought] it was probably just a little sprain.” X-rays and an MRI confirmed that diagnosis.
Murray was amazed by the interest in the minor injury, which briefly sparked false rumors of a broken leg or ankle.
“I got out of the MRI and had about 50 text messages,” he said. “People from everywhere were texting me. . . . It got a little out of control with rumors.’”
Murray expects to be a full participant in spring practice, which starts next Thursday.
The injury did curtail his off-season throwing for a while. While in the walking boot, which he shed this week, Murray said he threw passes “on my knees or standing still — not really dropping back and throwing routes, just making sure my arm is in shape [and] ready to go.” But on Thursday evening, he was throwing conventionally to his receivers. He reported via Twitter: “To UGA defense … I’m backkkk! Time to throw some TDs in skelly tonight.”
Murray’s disavowal of soccer is his own choice, apparently. Richt said he has never had a rule against playing other sports or participating in various activities because “I want these guys to live their lives and enjoy it. It seems like no matter what you do, somebody can still stumble down the stairs and get hurt.”
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83 comments Add your comment
BirdDog
March 3rd, 2011
7:20 pm
could it be?
Dawg Whisperer
March 3rd, 2011
7:30 pm
Yes, it’s true, BirdDog. You’re first and you’ve have won an all expenses paid trip to the AJC sports blog. You’re one lucky dog!
rally the dawgs
March 3rd, 2011
7:41 pm
I know back in my days playing baseball we had to sign waivers not to play other sports. I am not saying Murray can’t be a kid, but for Heaven’s sake it is an elite NCAA school, and I am just curious why those aren’t conditions of athletes in top positions. I bet you 100% no QB of Nick Saban is playing soccer! Geez.
JDawg
March 3rd, 2011
7:55 pm
Yeah, and Nick Saban signs more players than he has scholarships for. Then he takes them away from whoever isn’t helping the team win now. And he has seven players on the team with criminal records before they ever came to Alabama (see latest SI). Would be nice to win a NC, but prefer an honorable person instead. I have interacted with both on more than one occasion, and give me Richt any day. Just ask their families whom they love and respect more.
Delta Flight Attendent
March 3rd, 2011
7:59 pm
wow he is getting smarter everyday. I guess common sense 2301 Mon & Wed @ noon is really paying off. Now if h will take Beating a team with a winning record 1010 we will be all good.
UGA Alumnus
March 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Go Dawgs!
jimmymack
March 3rd, 2011
8:14 pm
it’s a business take care of your primary obligation
Macclenny_dawg
March 3rd, 2011
8:25 pm
He could have walked out of class and stepped in a hole and broke his ankle. Let the guy have some fun. If its meant 2 be it will happen anywhere any time!!! Go Dawgs!!!
woebegong
March 3rd, 2011
8:36 pm
This kid id going to be all SEC this year. He has a desire to win, and he respects his coaches. Give him an offensive line and he will make it happen.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Delta Flight Attendent
March 3rd, 2011
9:11 pm
You guys know you be wishing for Mettenburger before the season is over.
@Macclenny you are right it could happen anywhere. That is exactally why you don’t take more risks. I could die driving home so I guess I should just drive 90 on a race track because it could happen if I was going 55.
Worm
March 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Go find Wooten, Brown, Charles and White and just throw footballs!
ozzfest
March 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Aaron, I am glad you are out of the walking boot…NOW DITCH THE GLOVES, TOO!!!!
Worm
March 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Delta, if you are for real, I’ll be flying Southwest!
Delta Flight Attendent
March 3rd, 2011
9:24 pm
Worm we don’t fly to cow pie trailer park towns.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
March 3rd, 2011
9:44 pm
Where is that Murray stalker who keeps on bashing the fellow?
D A DoubleU G
March 3rd, 2011
9:57 pm
Glad Murray is feeling better.
Anybody who sits on their ass on a ajc blog and tells the kid he cannot and should not play recreation sports while enjoying his glory days at the most beautiful campus in America, with the prettiest girls in America, is a real vicariously driven d-bag.
Get out and enjoy your life, Aaron, the first chance you get. If that means going skydiving, rock climbing, or bull riding in Spain anytime between now and Spring Practice, and from then til Summer workouts, GO DO IT. BE A KID.
GO DAWGS!!!!!
184 days!!!!
hey jdawg
March 3rd, 2011
9:59 pm
you make it sound like bama has a lock on thugs and criminals. haven’t you seen the blotter on the UGA athletes from last year? it’s disgusting, and coach richt is responsible for this program. the buck stops with him.
D A DoubleU G
March 3rd, 2011
10:09 pm
because Mark Richt OBVIOUSLY instructed his players to have fireworks on the 4th of july, not have a middle name, emerge from an alley on a scooter, drive when they knew they shouldn’t, or not pay the parking ticket.
Good points “hey jdawg”…. absolutely heinous and disgusting crimes!!! Mark Richt needs to go!!!!
Ga Dawg 97
March 3rd, 2011
10:24 pm
Maybe he should take up soccer. He is the most over hyped player in UGA history. He’s 5 foot nothing and plays his worst in big games. Freshman or not, he is not our future. I would like to see Lemay behind center in the fall.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)
March 3rd, 2011
10:25 pm
Who let Hey Dog on here?
Delta Flight Attendent
March 3rd, 2011
10:40 pm
DA Double
So if Murray gets hurt and can no longer play football, then you want him to keep his scholarship right? That is a Scholarship lost because the kid did something to risk his health other than the thing he is being paid to do.
Gravy Train
March 3rd, 2011
10:52 pm
You bet if any player on scholarship at UGA gets hurt they will keep their scholarship. Coach Richt has done it before and he will do it again. He understands the meaning of commitment.
A male Delta Flight Attendent? Go attend your man crush with Saban. Just don’t get to committed.
bad brad
March 3rd, 2011
10:52 pm
Hey Delta,
I dont think you’re really a flt attendant; if you were you would know how to spell it.
Joe
March 3rd, 2011
11:03 pm
Soccer is for real men for sure.
D A DoubleU G
March 3rd, 2011
11:41 pm
Those who obsess over Murray needing to live in a box except for 14 days a year are the equivalent of a 13 year old girl with Bieber Fever.
Go. Have. Fun. Aaron.
The grown men on this blog who want you as their puppet are pathetic. I, and they, wish we were in your shoes.
Go Dawgs!!!!!!
184 days
i know some things
March 3rd, 2011
11:45 pm
well said ‘JDAWG’….RITCH IS THE MAN..ANYBODY WHO THINKS OTHERWISE IS STRAIGHT RETARDED..IF UGA FIRED HIM TOMORROW HE WOULD HAVE A JOB BEFORE HE WENT TO SLEEP…MORENO AND STAFFORD LEAVING ”EARLY” MESSED THAT NEXT YEAR UP..HE HAS A PLAN WHERE HE HAS CERTAIN AMOUT OF PLAYERS AT EACH POSITION AND HE DIDNT KNOW THAT ESPN WOULD OVERHYPE THEM AND MAKE EM LEAVE UGA ”EARLY” AND OBVIOUSLY CHANGES IN COACHING PLAYED IN LAST YEARS UNSUCCESS BUT YOU WILLL SEE….UGAS DEFENSE WASA BETTER THAN BAMA’S BEFORE THE 9TH WEEK..THINGS FELL APART AND A BAD RECORD WILL MAKE PLAYERS NOT PLAY 100%…..WE WILL BE BADASS NEXT YEAR..THE DREAM TEAM IS FOR REAL…BET
Gator Gus
March 4th, 2011
12:03 am
Gator Nation is happy Murray’s ok, you guys should keep him as your starter forever.
Honolulu Dawg
March 4th, 2011
12:16 am
Gator Gus… I bet you wish Tebow could be the starter forever? HAHA!
Carlton
March 4th, 2011
1:07 am
Thank God-the world can rest safely now..
And just to think, I was the guy at the ‘09 Kentucky game who left the stadium chanting “Aaron-Murray” while walking up the steps..and no one chanted with me. Shows how much our Bulldawg Nation keeps up with people before they’re a big deal, huh?
RED DOG 77
March 4th, 2011
1:22 am
I can’t wait to see Aaron Murray show-up Kellen Moore in the opener…………That my friends, will be one cool BULLDOG win !
Stinger2
March 4th, 2011
4:08 am
This whole story about Murray from the beginning to now has been over hyped. It was a non-event because there was no major injury.
AltamahaDawg
March 4th, 2011
6:39 am
The 90 MPH on a race track example is a pretty poor comparison. Clearly that is taking extraordinary risk. Comparing that to a college kid playing a backyard ball game, doesn’t land your point. If doing that was something the average driver would do in the cource of just “living thier life”, then ok. Is it?
AltamahaDawg
March 4th, 2011
6:42 am
Although it does reveal a bit about you to say 90 mph! as some kind of a big deal on a motor sport road way. You woudn’t even know you were going fast at 90.
Buckeye
March 4th, 2011
7:49 am
Did Roethlisberger sell his motorcycle?
ugab
March 4th, 2011
7:51 am
Murray said he was worried about CMR and Bobo’s reaction to playing soccer. Murray should know better. CMR is not got a grip on his team! What punishment is Murray going to serve for putting his season in jeopardy? Since we doing it the GA WAY
D A DoubleU G
March 4th, 2011
8:19 am
ugab,
you sir….. are an idiot.
“CMR doesn’t have a grip on his team because his star ATHLETES are participating in ATHLETICS on beautiful spring-like Saturdays”
How is the Golden Corral management track working out for you out in Butts county??
Old Boy
March 4th, 2011
8:42 am
Yeah, the idea of a kid playing another sport during college is almost criminal. I would never want one of those atheletes. No Charlie Ward, Jim Brown, Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, AJ Green… any football player who would play any other sport, even for fun, would not be welcome on my team. “Lighten up Francis”
wdm
March 4th, 2011
8:56 am
ugab is another idiot like Mark Bradley who has it in for Mark Richt out of pure jealousy. I am sure when ugab was a scholarship athlete…wait, ugab isn’t a scholarshp athlete and never has been because he hasn’t left his mother’s basement since his freshmen year in high school Get a life.
bitter larry munson (9") size does matter
March 4th, 2011
9:03 am
murry is a fine example of a collage kid—–bottom line if I had been the coach at UGA—-no way mecklenburg gets kicked off team for grabbing as—-. god squad made that call!!!!!
———————–there’s no crying in the SEC————yaaaaaaaw
Alabama Jack
March 4th, 2011
9:22 am
He can try football now.
Old Boy
March 4th, 2011
9:31 am
We had Karl Mecklenburg? I didn’t know he still had eligibility. Even though he is 50, I think our defense could have used him last year. Not sure what he has to do with an article on Murray though.
Destin Dawg
March 4th, 2011
9:40 am
Hutson Mason and Boo Malcome will surprise us THIS YEAR !!!
Sorry guy
March 4th, 2011
9:45 am
Destin Dawg – Hutson will surprise us while he is on the bench. He is currently 3rd string.
DawginLex
March 4th, 2011
9:47 am
To the Trolls,
I have repeatedly posted a list of often used stereotypical crap that you idiots use daily on our blogs.
From now on to save time, just reference a number.
1. Fulmer Cup
2. Thuga
3. UGAG
4. Trailer parks
5. Jan Kemp
6. Jim Harrick
7. Tony Cole
8. No national titles since 1980
9. 6-7
10. 2-8 vs Florida
11. Goons
12. Jail
13. Drunk AD
14. Red panties
15. Ignorant rednecks
Just reference the list. It saves time and energy.
*******************************************************************
for the Trolls, to save time and energy
Techster
March 4th, 2011
10:00 am
Anyone with kids knows that they can get hurt at any time. My gosh, I was hurt at a Tickle Pile when I was at Georgia Tech.
JAWJeRDAWG
March 4th, 2011
10:33 am
@ ugab
“Murray said he was worried about CMR and Bobo’s reaction to playing soccer.”
That wasn’t exactly why Aaron said he worried. The point in this article on Murray’s injury was:
“On the ground immediately after the injury, “I was, like, ‘Oh man, I don’t want to tell Coach Bobo,’” Murray said. “I was, like, ‘This is not going to be good.”
Aaron wasn’t worried about telling CMR and CMB about his playing soccer. He was worried about having to tell them that he had injured his ankle while he was playing soccer.
You’re statement wasn’t quite Aaron’s exact concern. Just saying.
SUPERBAD
March 4th, 2011
10:40 am
F#$%ing’ calm down Aaron, it’s soccer, it’s soccer!
AltamahaDawg
March 4th, 2011
10:43 am
Aaron would have said, “I hate to tell coach” about hurting his ankle, had he stumbled down the stairs, too.
Talladawg
March 4th, 2011
10:48 am
Not too long ago young men were EXPECTED to play football in Fall, basketball in Winter, AND baseball in Spring/Summer. I agree with not taking stupid chances (e.g. – bullriding, or motocross, or riding scooters especially without helmets), but they have to live.
SE GA Dawg Fan
March 4th, 2011
11:04 am
When the recent issue of SI arrived at our home with the cover indicating the 25 top colleges with football players with criminal records, I thought it would be all about UGA. From reading the AJC sports online, you would think that would be the situation, but to my surprise, UGA didn’t make the top 25…it’s no where in the article, but Tech is!!! Maybe you AJC sports writers need to discuss this and quit making UGA the bad guy.
dawgfacedboy
March 4th, 2011
11:13 am
A kid got hurt while playing a sport. Yawn.
CMRalterEGO
March 4th, 2011
11:18 am
Life happens! We can’t put them in a bubble as they are college kids! Are we supposed to tell them to not drive anywhere? I get it where they shouldn’t be sky diving or racing motorcycles but COME ON! My higher power decides what is going to happen and we can’t try to control these kids or they would burn out in a year! As long as the AJC doesn’t report “CROWELL ARRESTED” or Drew sought in child Porn case and they all stay out of jail I AM A HAPPY CAMPER
MaconBulldog.
March 4th, 2011
11:35 am
Yes please lets go with a whole summer with no jail time for the dawgs
Alabama | MrSEC.com
March 4th, 2011
11:51 am
[...] award with his stats, but he might with his versatility and overall value to UF’s team.3. “No more soccer” or any other non-football sports for Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. (Murray says he’ll be ready for spring practice [...]
Delta Flight Attendent
March 4th, 2011
12:14 pm
Why would Murray be scared to tell coach? Kids get arrested all the time and Richt does next to nothing to them.
Ryan
March 4th, 2011
12:21 pm
1st
Bucket
March 4th, 2011
12:23 pm
@ Delta – you might want to ask Mettenberg, Dowtin, and Baker about that “next to nothing” comment. There have been others also. (Really good player @ NC State last year – Lemon?) Richt doesn’t cut kids for traffic violations, playing with fireworks, and not having or knowing their middle names. No doubt they need to tighten the discipline up a little, but don’t let the facts get in the way of your blind hatred for all things UGA.
Georgia QB says soccer is too dangerous and quits playing forever
March 4th, 2011
12:24 pm
[...] Lick Here for the full article. Cancel reply [...]
Spike
March 4th, 2011
12:25 pm
Good. I always thought soccer was an Eastern European commie sport anyway.
Mike Jay
March 4th, 2011
12:31 pm
They need to rebuild the UGA campusout of nothing but Nerf. No more riding in cars from Murray: he will be shipped in a giant cardboard coffin wrapped in 3 feet of bubble wrap. He will only eat egg whites, baked chicken and raw vegtables. Lights out will no be at 8pm right after he has his nightly medical examination and blood work done.
GTBob
March 4th, 2011
12:52 pm
Do people really expect college kids to quit doing fun athletic and normally safe things just because they are on the football team? CMR’s quote above is right. You can’t stop these kids from living normal lives.
Too Easy
March 4th, 2011
2:05 pm
Delta: Learn how to spell “attendant”. Zero cred.
Howard Cosell
March 4th, 2011
3:21 pm
Down goes Murray!!! Down goes Murray!!!
Delta Flight Attendent
March 4th, 2011
4:04 pm
too Easy What is cred? can’t you spell the word? Most people use some odd spelling in posting names. This might make you happy.
Delta Flight Stew
CharlestonDAWG
March 4th, 2011
4:05 pm
Hey Guys!!!
I never comment on here. Im a season ticket holder and love gamedays on Saturday. Im not an overly fanactic fan, but who doesnt like seeing their team win. I will be at every home game screaming my head off. Its WAY more fun that way. I played a sport in college (soccer). Yes, the sissy sport. Its ok. I still play. I love it. It paid my way through school and helped me to a career as a Physical Therapist. That being said, We, at a small NAIA school in GA, were NOT allowed to participate in intramurals so long as we were on scholarship as an intercolliagte athlete. Coaches allowed walk-ons to play recreational sports but if a scholarship player was found playing intramurals the entire team paid. We ran until someone puked. Sat for a game or two. And believe me the wrath of the teammates having to run hills for a mistake like that was much worse than what the coach had us do. Aaron, FOCUS on FOOTBALL. Leave soccer to us sissies!!!
steeldogs125
March 4th, 2011
8:04 pm
Please visit my sports blog trinitysports1313.blogpost.com, I am 13 and decided to use my great insight. I write about NFL, NBA, NCAA, Golf and Tennis.
poohla
March 4th, 2011
11:24 pm
I don’t know if Georgia fans know it but Jay Rome has more ofhis dad in him them than they know I think that he could play with the basketball team now he can play with anybody check his history and he is still playing!! that is good check Tony Gonzalez and that Peppers guy!!
Jim
March 4th, 2011
11:43 pm
Hopefully this little scare will pit some sense in Richt’s and Bobo’s heads that the time to have a QB ready to step in is not after you don’t have your starter anymore.
mark bradley go join tennessee and hate on UGA
March 5th, 2011
3:10 am
WE DONT LIKE YOU…WE DONT CARE FOR YOUR ARTICLES AT ALL…YOU ARE A HATER… A JEALIOUS HATER….EVERY TEAM IN THE NATION WILL HAVE BAD SEASONS….MARK BRADLEY YOU ARE AN IDIOT AND THATS WHY YOU WRITE IN THE NEWPAPER INSTEAD OF COACH A TEAM…HAHAHAHAHA…WRITE ABOUT THAT
woebegong
March 5th, 2011
8:19 am
Like the coach said, let the kids be kids. At least he was not out getting into trouble. He appears to me to be a fine young man with a lot of potential as an athelete. I would take one Murray over ten Cam Newtons any day. I don’t care what the records are. The kid has his head on right.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Georgia football? LOL
March 5th, 2011
8:24 am
Most collegiate soccer teams could beat Georgia’s football team.
Buckeye
March 5th, 2011
8:27 am
SE GA “dawg” Fan,
You are no crtitical reader. The critical reader noted that they only studied teams in the SI pre-season top 25. Uga, surpise surprise, was not in the SI pre-season top 25. (Matter of fact, didn’t make to post season top 25 either).
The critical reader would also note the study/reserach did not look at convictions, only those charged.
Must admit, with some level of shame, the Big 10 did not look too good given that list.
No worries, had uga been a part of the study, you would have “represented”.
Buckeye
March 5th, 2011
8:28 am
Woe,
How ’bout a “woof woof woof” with your signature??
woebegong
March 5th, 2011
8:46 am
Buckeye,
Too early for the woof woof, I leave that to my basset hound. She thinks she is a bulldog though.
About that SI article. It was the pre-season 2010 top 25 this article was referring to. UGA was listed at 22 in the pre-season top 25 last year. Then reality hit.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSS
and a WOOF WOOF to keep Buckeye happy on this Saturday.
AltamahaDawg
March 5th, 2011
8:46 am
Because attendEnt is such a clever play on words?
woebegong
March 5th, 2011
9:00 am
Inquiring minds want to know. Is attendent a male or female? Only thing I am pretty sure of, is that he/she is a tech. fan.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
AltamahaDawg
March 5th, 2011
9:34 am
Indistinguishable line so far.
fonzie
March 5th, 2011
9:42 am
Same ankle he broke senior year in high school. For a smart kid, he sure did a dumb thing.
aprilglaspie
March 5th, 2011
10:56 am
“I bet you 100% no QB of Nick Saban is playing soccer! Geez.”
Because Richt is a normal human being. Saban is not.
g8rh8n Dawg
March 6th, 2011
1:12 am
Glad he’s back. I hope there is some good competition in the coming weeks.
Delta Flight Attendent, you’re commenting on a football article. Shouldn’t you be more interested in the gymnastics program?
Gator Gus
March 6th, 2011
8:49 am
Please start Murray this year, he had an amazing year. Murray is incredible.
CW
March 6th, 2011
8:55 am
If Richt has no porblem with Murray playing other sports for fun and risking injury, Murray shiould do more of it. murray should take up MotoCross.
King Gator
March 6th, 2011
10:34 am
Soccer? Really….? If I were a fan of the Dawgs, I’d be less embarrassed if he hurt playing drunken kickball at a frat party or even doing one of those “foot videos” with Rex Ryan.. but soccer? Way to keep the offseason interesting Dawgs. It is better than having your AD arrested for DUI w/a woman’s thong in his lap that is not his wife I guess and on par with the “blackout” v Bama a few years ago. Go Gators!!