Murphy’s mistake pays off

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This article was published 30/05/2023 (888 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It turns out you can be in the wrong place at the right time.

The fourth quarter of Saturday’s preseason game in Edmonton against the Elks began with a ball being snapped over the head of rookie Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome.

The blunder put the Blue and Gold in a dreadful second-and-27 situation.

Fortunately for them, no harm was done, as Pigrome fired a 34-yard pass to Canadian rookie receiver Jeremy Murphy for the first down on the very next play.

Despite the impressive result, it wasn’t exactly how they drew it up.

“I actually ran the wrong play. There was a miscommunication between the quarterback and myself and all the receivers. It was our first drive all as rookies because it was Pigrome (playing),” Murphy, a 24-year-old from St. Bruno, Que., said after Tuesday’s training camp session at IG Field. “So, after the play when I was told you were supposed to do this and I was supposed to do that, I was like ‘It still worked, but whatever.’ We had a good laugh after.”

Murphy hauled in both of his targets for 44 total yards in his pro debut to help the Bombers to a 25-23 victory. The Bombers selected him in the third round, 26th overall, in the 2023 CFL Draft out of Concordia University.

He was a first team All-Canadian in 2022 and the national rookie of the year in 2019.

“I was actually playing (FIFA) on my PlayStation for the first round because I knew I wasn’t going in the first round, and then after I started paying more attention,” Murphy admitted. “And then (the TV broadcast ended) and it went onto the computer. My athletic trainer at Concordia actually texted me before the pick came in so somehow she saw it come in first before I knew about it. So, that’s how I found out about (getting drafted) and I was like ‘Hey, let’s go,’ and then right after coach (Mike O’Shea) called me.”

Considering where Murphy’s football journey began, it’s quite the feat that he earned a call on draft day. Before starring at Concordia at the U Sports level, Murphy played three seasons at Champlain College St-Lambert, a small Division 3 school in Quebec’s football conference where he was coached by former Bombers defensive end Shawn Mayne.

Mayne, who hails from Montreal, spent 2006-09 and 2011 in Winnipeg.

“I think it was towards the later years of that time when I really started thinking if I really put in the work, that I could get (to the CFL)… Shawn Mayne used to play in the league and he had friends in the league that came in and coached us as well,” said Murphy. “Through those three years, I saw the progression that I made, and even when I got to college at Concordia, I saw more and more progression and my goal was to then play pro.”

The day after the draft, Bombers general manager Kyle Walters told reporters the 6-2, 195-pound pass-catcher stood out for his consistent playmaking ability. Assuming Murphy returns to Concordia to finish off his eligibility, he should have the tools to make even bigger and better plays than before.

“I’m sure everyone says this, but it’s been an honour to learn from guys like Kenny (Lawler), Rasheed (Bailey), Nic (Demski), Woli (Drew Wolitarsky), Dalton (Schoen), the whole crew of them. This squad is loaded and they all have different tips and ideas and criticisms to give you,” said Murphy. “If it’s negative, you just take it with a grain of salt and move on. They know what they’re doing, and I love being able to learn from these guys and Zach (Collaros) and Dru (Brown). As much as it’s a lot of work, it’s a lot of fun.”

With many veterans, including Collaros, expected to rest in Friday’s preseason finale when the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit IG Field, up-and-comers such as Murphy will get another chance to stand out. What strikes O’Shea the most about Murphy is how he does his homework off the field.

“Yeah, he’s smart. He picks it up very quickly. Very smart. He’s made some good tough catches, too,” said O’Shea.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

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