This was a big weekend for Aaron Murray, and not just because he had it off with his Georgia Bulldogs coming to town.
The Kansas City Chiefs, for whom Murray now plays as a backup quarterback, had a bye Sunday and Murray his entire family had long planned to take in Saturday’s game between Georgia and Missouri here at Faurot Field. But he Murray’s had other reasons besides football to gather this weekend.
Murray got engaged to girlfriend Kacie McDonnell on Friday night in Kansas City.
“Yeah, got on bended knee, the whole thing,” Murray said from the Faurot Field sideline as the Bulldogs warmed up before Saturday’s game. “I told her I wanted to show my parents our church (Visitation Church) before we went out to eat and that’s where I did it. She wasn’t expecting it. It was awesome.”
Murray had some strong things to say about the autograph and memorabilia controversy that has ensnared his former teammate Todd Gurley. The star tailback was suspended by Georgia this week while it investigates allegation that he has accepted money in exchange for signing merchandise for memorabilia dealers.
“It’s tough,” Murray said. “The system sucks. That’s all there is to it. We don’t get the opportunity to get a job or go to work to earn money while the university is making all this money on us. All players feel like something must be done.”
Murray passed on opportunities to make money under the table while in college, but he took full advantage of his autograph opportunities after his eligibility was exhausted. Murray contracted with a marketing group and help autograph and picture sessions in Atlanta and Athens and other places.
“I made good money,” Murray said. “It was nice. It’s America, you know. At the end of the day, you’re your own corporation. We’re Murray, Inc., Gurley, Inc. You should be able to capitalize on your own name.”
