Aaron Murray focused on his father as Bulldogs put South Carolina behind them
Aaron Murray poses with his family, including his father Dennis (L) following graduation last fall. (Murray family photo)
ATHENS – When Aaron Murray tweeted Sunday, “probably the worst 12 hours of my life,” he wasn’t just talking about Saturday night’s 35-7 loss to South Carolina.
Murray found out that his father, Denny Murray, had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “Papa Murray,” as Aaron referred to him in another tweet, underwent surgery today at the Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa. The family reports that it went well and he is recovering.
Apparently Denny Murray had been diagnosed “a few weeks ago,” but the parents told Aaron only on Sunday. Aaron Murray and his brother drove to Tampa yesterday.
The distressing news followed a depressing Saturday night for Murray and his roommate, linebacker Christian Robinson. As revealed in a tweet from Robinson, they returned from the team’s trip to Columbia to find their rented home in Athens egged and rolled with toilet paper. “Seems that people turn on you when you’re not perfect. Thought we were in this together,” Robinson wrote.
Word is good Samaritans later cleaned up the mess.
So there’s a lot more on Murray’s mind today than the Bulldogs’ poor showing in Columbia. Please keep that in mind going forward.
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351 comments Add your comment
Realistic fan
October 8th, 2012
1:38 pm
So sorry for Aaron and the family. My prayers will be with them. For all you idiots who think we should win every game every year, you must be pretty unhappy with your lives. Sure we should have played a little better. But we didn’t. Deal with it. We can win the rest of our games if we back the team and they play like they can. We went 10-2 last year and could do that or better this year. And you want to fire Mark Richt? And hire who? Jon Gruden isn’t going to coach college and if he did he would only be there a year or two. I suppose you want Bobby Petrino?
Here is a realistic statement. At the end of the year do you know how many SEC teams will be undefeated. Exactly none or maybe 1. So fire all the other coaches?
Bob
October 8th, 2012
1:39 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Aaron, I pray your father has a complete recovery.
KenDawg
October 8th, 2012
1:43 pm
Take care of your Dad, Aaron. Football will always be there, but family is always the most important thing. Wishing him the best.
Dini Whigham
October 8th, 2012
1:45 pm
Prayers to The Murray family!!
Lady Dawg Fan
TampaGator
October 8th, 2012
1:45 pm
Probably one of the regular “jump on and off the bandwagon” negative posters on here that did that trashing of their apartment….or one of the Braves fans who threw all that garbage onto the field. Classy behavior in public seems to be a lost art these days. Best wishes to the Murray family in a very difficult time in their lives. Some things are just more important than football….which is just a game….and should not be your life’s end (for the person or persons who did such a stupid thing).
Jim VFL
October 8th, 2012
1:46 pm
There are few things in life that are more important than football. The health of a young man’s father is one of those things.
Prayers for the Murray family from a die hard Tennessee fan.
Rev. Mick Rarcht
October 8th, 2012
1:47 pm
If it is the Lord’s will that Papa Murray be called home, then we cannot question it or stand in the way.
Cancer Breath
October 8th, 2012
1:49 pm
I’m so confused.
So, was that Aaron Murray’s dad playing under center in Columbia Saturday night?
That makes a lot more sense.
Anyway, we’ll be praying for you and your family Mr. Murray. God Bless Chick-Fil-A.
faldawg
October 8th, 2012
1:49 pm
if you think jon gruden would coach college football you are pretty dumb. he is a super bpwl champion pro coach who has the best job in america.
astrouga
October 8th, 2012
1:50 pm
I don’t think many people expect to win every game, however, UGA was picked by about half of the “experts” and the line was very close. No one predicted UGA to get blown out. The reason — because UGA is a better team than that. On paper and on the field. So what happened? That is what the UGA fans want to know. It should have been closer. I think if we were ever even in the game, most fans would be fine with a loss at to USC in their stadium. However, we looked like a bunch of chumps out there. I don’t believe USC is that good, nor do I think we are out the SEC East race. It should have been a game. It was never a game. The coaches are responsible at the end of the day. Period. It is their job to direct the team, perpare the team and make adjustments and substitutions as needed.
Just Saying
October 8th, 2012
1:50 pm
Thanks Tampa Gator….right on!!!
Nolesfan88
October 8th, 2012
1:51 pm
Our thoughts and prayers from Tallahassee to Athens for the Murray family.
(Is that Snooky in that photo on the far right? I love Snooky.)
astrouga
October 8th, 2012
1:52 pm
I’m fairly certain that a handful of the folks that comment on the blogs here could have replaced the key UGA coaching positions during the game and gotten the team fired up enough to make it close. Seriously, Richt was a spectator. Watch the replay again. Spurrier earned his salary, Richt collected his.
Just Saying
October 8th, 2012
1:53 pm
I agree astrouga
John Gruden's Agent
October 8th, 2012
1:53 pm
Ok, let me get this straight. You want Coach Gruden to quit his job and come coach football in Athens, GA?
Bahahahahahahahahaha!
Oh, man. That was good.
Why not just hire Houston Nutt?
Drew
October 8th, 2012
1:56 pm
There are a few other players in that house as well. My heart goes out to them too. Keep your head up and prayers going Aaron. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with your family and to the Frat idiots who did this. go and play your NCAA with your created players or walk on and try to block Clowney yourself.
Jb7462
October 8th, 2012
1:57 pm
It’s so nice to see you people realize that there are more important things than football, and rally around this young man during his time of personal crisis. Oh, wait….except you didn’t.
College football makes some people act like brainless, heartless A-holes. Some of the comments on this article are proof if that. Shameful.
Mike
October 8th, 2012
1:57 pm
Prayers go out to the Murray family.
dandydawg
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
I wasn’t going to post on here, but after reading some of these comments, I feel the need to. Some of us have been diagnosis with diseases that we have for life (diabetes and thyroid disease for me), but it can’t impact our work and most of the times, we can’t use it as an excuse for poor performance at work. Yes, we sympathize will Aaron’s father and the rest of his family. We always say that cancer or any other disease is a terrible thing for one to endure. I don’t know Aaron or his family personally, but I can guarantee you this much, if they believe in a higher power (I call him God), then they will be fine.
As far as anyone using this forum to bash coach Richt. Those people are entitled to their opinions. May be one day someone will hear them. If you cry long enough, someone will eventually hug you or wipe away the tears. Georgia Football is good, but not great!! The problem with us is that we, as fans of this great state institution, seem to place our standards a bit high. We should stop buying into what the media is saying about UGA – even though the AJC correctly predicated that UGA would lose to Carolina and old cocky Spurrier – and start thinking that we are good for 8 to 10 wins a year. There, I said it, at this rate we will never be the caliber of team as Carolina, LSU, Alabama (and now Florida) again. I hope that I am wrong, but the last fours years have not shown me anything differently. So, let’s get over ourselves and start living this thing we call “LIFE”! Football pains will go away (usually takes a few hours) and life lesson will be learned. God’s blessing to Mr. Murray on a speedy recovery. I am praying for you and your family. Lastly, Go Dawgs! And for us fans… keep our heads up and keep yelling for those DGDs!!! It’s only a game!!!
Ban
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
Hope and pray that your father beat his cancer. Would be glad to help on the clean up at your home and I’m sorry for the juveniles that did this.
cathy
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
Really? I admit we looked awful against the cocks but to attack Murray and Richt shows lack of class. We have won 5 games this year and our coach has one of the best records around. Wake up Dawg nation and realize we are still having a great year. Show some class and unity. I still love you Dawgs!!!
Mandrell Dawg
October 8th, 2012
1:59 pm
The way too many of these dawg fans bash and trash this team, it shames me to be associated with them by calling myself a dawg fan. That game upset me just as much as anyone. I was so upset I couldn’t hardly sleep Saturday night (For all you true CMR fans, I still went to church Sunday!!). I understand if you have to vent, but sadly enough people in power listen and for some unknown reason listen to the radical fan base and fire their coach. Ask UT if they could do it again, would they fire Fulmer. Be careful of what you wish for, you just might get it; and in the case of Gruden, you get a man who took over a championship contender, won the big game and barely heard from again afterwards (that’s strictly from a coaching standpoint, you can’t get away from him from a media perspective).
SEC Headlines 10/8/2012 – Arkansas – Razorbacks News
October 8th, 2012
2:00 pm
[...] Difficult weekend for Murray – his dad has thyroid cancer, undergoing surgery [...]
War Eagle
October 8th, 2012
2:01 pm
Prayers going out to you Aaron and your dad. God Speed!
JAB
October 8th, 2012
2:01 pm
MR needs to start back calling his own plays & take that away from
BoBo. They were the worse play calls I’ve ever seen. On the other hand
AM needs to stop depending on the receivers that go up & get his mess
of passes & learn to throw accurately.
FIRE MARK RICHT
October 8th, 2012
2:02 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT Hire Dana Holgerson Hire Dana Holgerson Hire Dana Holgerson
Pitbull
October 8th, 2012
2:02 pm
Aaron, I am praying for your dad. Stay strong and focus on your faith.
I hope everything turns out well for him and for your family.
FIRE MARK RICHT
October 8th, 2012
2:04 pm
Cathy you are an idiot. Bragging about wins over Buffalo, FL Atlantic, Vandy and a terrible TN team is pathetic. IF you are that stupid please stay off this blog.
The Old Coot
October 8th, 2012
2:05 pm
The hate posts here are from Tech haters posing as Dawg fans.
That is how they get their kicks.
They like to try and suck the life and happiness out of others.
Tells you a lot about their character (or lack of it), doesn’t it.
MusaDawg06
October 8th, 2012
2:11 pm
Wishing the Murray family well. God Bless
I am 100% UGA. USC just whipped our butt. Sometimes you gotta take a butt whoopin to get things right. I believe Coach Richt and the guys will do just that. Lots left to play for. Go Dawgs.
1969 Graduate
October 8th, 2012
2:11 pm
I wish the best possible recovery for the senior Mr. Murray.
I’m very sorry classless and clueless individuals vandalized the junior Mr. Murray’s premises.
Our quarterback is a young man – a student athlete – doing his best at a most difficult position. Personally, I think he’s done a pretty good job of it, and certainly he’s given it a tremendous effort. Whether we win or lose, and even whether he looks good doing it, is not entirely on his shoulders. If the line doesn’t block well, or if the receivers don’t run the routes properly, or catch the ball, that makes the quarterback look bad, but it’s not his fault. Mr. Murray is an unpaid student athlete, deserving, I think, of our appreciation. He’s our quarterback.
The coaches are another matter. If I did as bad a job as they are doing, I’d be fired. If I did as bad a job as them, I’d quit. They suck eggs.
I support all the Georgia players.
The coaches can all leave now. I’m over them.
FIRE MARK RICHT
October 8th, 2012
2:11 pm
I am so pathetic I want to be fired!!! My teams haven’t beat a ranked team since 2007!!! Thats 5 years you stupid Dawg fans. I am ripping youy off. And of the 0-10 agains ranked teams over half thos losses were by more than 15 points and I am laughing at you all the way to the bank. Can i get a big amen???
Will Trane
October 8th, 2012
2:12 pm
Thoughts and prayers will be with the Murray family and especially Aaron’s father during this health issue. Cancer patients and survivors know that cancer is a tough situation for all. Prayers and support for Aaron, his dad and mom. and family.
astrouga
October 8th, 2012
2:13 pm
Anyone that says the dawgs, Murray or Richt are above criticize or that fans that are being critical of them really aren’t football fans. These players compete for paid positions (scholarships at a major institution) and the coaches get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. The whole sport is based on the concept of criticism. If you don’t play well enough, or coach well enough, someone else gets the starting nod. Really simple.
None of this discussion would have happened if UGA was ever in the game against USC. Or if Richt ever showed any emotion on the side-line. He looked defeated the entire game. I have always been a huge defender or Richt, but those of you who are defending him now are fooling yourselves. Even the analysts were on our side this time, even though we never show up in big games. This was our big chance to show the nation we were a quality program. We shoulded them yet again (Boise St, LSU, UCF, etc) that we are a better than average squad at best.
I ask you all, what is the job of a college football coach? For a fan it is simple – be competitive. We had the talent, so why weren’t we competitive? Coaching is the answer. I have no doubt Richt could have coached this team to a win. I just don’t know why he didn’t show up.
I’ve never been so embarrased as a dawg fan. I won’t be wearing my UGA colors for a long time.
blackandwhitestripes
October 8th, 2012
2:13 pm
Prayers for the family.
FIRE MARK RICHT
October 8th, 2012
2:13 pm
MusaDawg06
Why would you beleive such stupidity???? UGA hasn’t rose up for a big game in over 5 years. Why can’t you Mark Richt Lovin idiots see that.
Aaron Murray’s thoughts focused on his father as Dogs put South Carolina behind them – Georgia – Dawg News
October 8th, 2012
2:15 pm
[...] is the original post: Aaron Murray’s thoughts focused on his father as Dogs put South Carolina behind them ← Back to Home Tags: aaron, aaron murray, christian robinson, egged, focal, home, [...]
Thyroid Cancer
October 8th, 2012
2:23 pm
As a malignant neoplasm I have been a UGA fan for over 30 years.
I have always taken the good with the bad and tried to find a silver-lining in all of our misadventures.
But what happened this weekend truly sickens me (no pun intended).
For the media to try and blame Aaron Murray’s performance on Saturday night on me, specifically my relationship with his father, is bruatlly unfair to me and cheapens the UGA brand as a whole.
In all my years as a fan and as a sarcoma, I have never been so ashamed.
I know for a fact that if Aaron had put on a big display with gaudy numbers all the writers would have said he did it for Papa Murray and he was inspired to play great for his dad.
But of course after that performance they want to blame me.
I wasn’t even at the game. (Well, I did spend the weekend in Columbia, but from 4PM Saturday until after midnight I was on the fourth floor of Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital visiting the recurrent laryngeal nerve of a 62-year-old white male with a history of hypothyroidism.)
The point is UGA is a great program. But you have to work to make sure it stays that way.
When things go wrong, you have to look at the real problems and find the real solutions.
Blaming me or any other histopathology is counter-productive and in this case downright defamatory. Just like CMR says, we all have to a job to do, and I’m just “doing my job.”
David
October 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Remember a Game is just a Game, it is life and your relationships that truely matter.
Gamecock1982
October 8th, 2012
2:26 pm
Arron,
This proud Gamecock fan wishes you and your Daddy all the best, and speedy recovery. This just proves there are more important things in life than football. Again, best wishes…
old dog
October 8th, 2012
2:43 pm
Aaron,
Until someone quarterbacks a game behind that non-SEC line, they need to shut up. I know you will rightfully defend your boys, but our o-line was (and is) pathetic against better teams.
Pat Dawson
October 8th, 2012
2:46 pm
I don’t get you people…the reason for this article is because we, the fans, want to know everything we can about Georgia football. This was not to set up an excuse for a young man who has committed everything he can to this football program.He just found out his father has cancer! And you blithering idiots use it as an opportunity to change the topic and vent about crap that doesn’t mean a fraction as much as someone’s life! You need to get a grip and stop living your whole miserable life through the trials and tribulations of young college kids!! Get your priorities straight!
bondoman78
October 8th, 2012
2:53 pm
My wife and I are praying for your Dad and We will every day. Ps 19:14
AW
October 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
Unbelievable…how can anyone jump into a forum on an article written about something so personal and use it to voice opinions about college football? I’m a Dawg through and through but we’ll have another game in two weeks (and for another 5 weeks after that), we’ll field another team next year, and the year after, and the year after, etc. IT’S JUST FOOTBALL. Aaron’s dad is sick today and that whole family needs the support of the Bulldog nation today.
And while I’m at it…if I’m not mistaken this is the first regular season loss for the Dawgs in 15 games…correct? You guys looking for Richt’s head on a platter are ridiculously shallow and ill-informed. I love the earlier post exclaiming surprise that none of you experts actually went into coaching at this level. Grow up guys!
will franklin
October 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
Have always been Dawg fan,but alot of stuff Ga. fans don’t understand about from all the constant negativity toward every little thing,I think I’ll support another team! A lot of these people need to get a life!!!
Carl
October 8th, 2012
3:05 pm
Some of you jock sniffers need to get a life and grow up.
There are lot of things in life more important than football.
So…grow-up, move out of your parents basement and get a job. Soon you will realize what is really important in life.
Ted Striker
October 8th, 2012
3:06 pm
Prayers to the Murray family at this difficult and challenging time. Keep fighting! You will triumph!
Jock Sniffer
October 8th, 2012
3:11 pm
Speaking on behalf of all jock sniffers, living with our parents has become a way of life. If I could only find a girlfriend or get a job I would do my best to keep both. Meanwhile, all I have are blogs like this to vent my support for my favoriate team. One day, soon I hope, I will find a girl that can stand being around me more than 5 seconds and I can find a job that involves something other than cooking the fries or spreading the pine straw. Until then, I will remaind a UGA jock sniffer.
DAWG FAN WIN, LOSE OR TIE
October 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT AND HIREJONGRUDEN MUST ME THE SAME MORON
David
October 8th, 2012
3:14 pm
Aaron, my deeply prays are out to your dad, Denny and rest of your family for a speedy recovery. I met your family at so many Georgia road games and you all are so friendly to me and the rest of the UGA family.