Kyler Murray is not just an extraordinary athlete. He also carries the onus of breaking cultural barriers in the NFL, albeit with his parents’ support. Drafted by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft, his QB skills have earned him the title of two-time Pro Bowler and the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Kyler shares a rich Asian American lineage, and he has always been proud of it, reflecting the sentiments of his parents, Kevin and Missy Murray.

Kyler’s father, Kevin Murray, also harbors athletic interests which influenced his son to take up sports. Born in 1961, he was a standout athlete taking up space to make a name for himself in both baseball and football.

He initially started with baseball, as he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 1982 MLB Draft. But, it was for a very short period, as he transitioned to football. However, it was covered in the lawsuit as the Brewers sued him in 1983 to recover his signing bonus.

However, Kevin refused to pay back, saying “it was his money to keep.” The decision was in his favor. He rose successfully as a QB at Texas A&M and even went on to earn Second-Team All-American while playing in the NFL and CFL. Soon, he took the decision to retire and focus on coaching.

Laying the foundation of the Air 14 Quarterback Academy in Dallas, he began to train QBs. And his son joined in too, training rigorously alongside others.  Even Kevin’s mother noted the intensity of the training practices, adding, “Kevin is a very intense instructor with all his clients and his kid. He teaches them all the same way. I’ve been to his lessons, and I’ve been like, ‘You’re being a little too hard.’ But that’s his way, and it works.”

While his father shares Black lineage, Kyler Murray’s mother is half-Korean. Missy Murray, nee: Misun Henderson, was born on September 25, 1964, in a multiracial family that interestingly has both Korean and American roots. She never fails to acknowledge her rich legacy, as her father, Carl W. Henderson, served in the U.S. Navy and Army for over 35 years.

Talking about her life, she attended South Grand Prairie High School and Mountain View College. She went on to build a professional career as well later, working in positions like executive assistant and office manager, with Verizon and DHL. Now, with her solid business acumen, she is handling the role of general manager of K1 Promotions, which is Kyler’s apparel company.

Missy went on to marry Kevin Murray in 1991, with Kyler being born in 1997. Her family often refers to her as the “pillar of strength,” as she has always shown her strong support for Kyler’s career and Kyler is always thankful for the love of his parents.

The loving bond between Kyler and his parents

For Kyler, his mother is his “best friend.” When he received his Heisman Trophy, he stated, “To my mom: You’re my best friend. I could be up here all day talking about you, but for me, I’m just thankful that you’re my mother, and I love you.”

Kyler always wears his South Korean identity proudly, to honor his mother.  He even stated, “I’m proud to play with the flag of South Korea on my helmet. It’s a great way to honor my mom, honor my heritage, and highlight the diverse backgrounds that make up the NFL.”

Previously, Missy also shared that she sees much of her father, Carl, in Kyler. Even though Kyler never met his grandfather as he passed away before his birth, Missy noted that Kyler’s passion for board games is reflective of Carl.

Missy is immensely proud of what Kyler has become, adding that it is “not just because of what he’s achieved, but because of how he handles himself. That’s what matters most to me.”

Kyler is deeply appreciative of not only his mom but also his father’s support. And to honor his role, he even purchased a new vehicle for his father, which he revealed on his Instagram page. With these instances, Kyler has proved his love and respect for his parents, as he continues to navigate his NFL journey.