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| Position: | Defensive back/Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1988-08-21)August 21, 1988 (age 36) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 199 lb (90 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH) | ||||||||
| College: | Kent State | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2009 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||||
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Derico "Rico" Murray (born August 21, 1988) is an American former professionalgridiron footballdefensive back andlinebacker. He was signed by theCincinnati Bengals as anundrafted free agent in 2011. He playedcollege football atKent State. He has also been a member of theEdmonton Eskimos,Toronto Argonauts,Ottawa Redblacks, andHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League (CFL).
Murray played 47 games in four seasons (2005–08) atKent State. He registered a total of 218 defensive tackles (125 solo, 93 assisted), 18 pass breakups, four interceptions, three fumbles forced and two fumble recoveries with the Golden Flashes. In his senior team as a captain he had 72 defensive tackles (47 solo, 27 assisted) and led team with seven pass breakups.
After going undrafted in the2009 NFL draft, Murray signed as afree agent with theCincinnati Bengals. In 2009, 2010 and 2011 Murray was on the 53-man roster bubble.[1] However, he was released following the first game of the2011 season on September 14, 2011. He re-joined the Bengals practice squad on January 3, 2012, and was waived on April 12, 2012. During his three-year tenure in the NFL Murray played in 9 games and made 19 tackles.
He signed with theEdmonton Eskimos on June 4, 2012.
He signed with theHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League (CFL) on July 6, 2013. Murray played four seasons for the Ti-Cats, seeing action in 50 games and contributing 180 tackles on defense, 11 on special teams, 9 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 3 sacks. Following the2016 season he was not re-signed by the Ti-Cats and became afree agent.
Murray signed with the Ti-Cats' divisional rival, theToronto Argonauts, on March 3, 2017.[2] Murray recorded 55 tackles, one interception returned for a score, one sack, and one forced fumble during the year, which would culminate in his being named a CFL East All Star for the second time. Murray also won his first Grey Cup when the Argos defeated theCalgary Stampeders, 27-24.
On the second day of free agency, February 14, 2018, Murray and theOttawa Redblacks agreed to a one-year contract.[3] Murray proved to be a good fit in the Ottawa defense, playing in all 18 games, and leading in CFL in interceptions with 5 (alongside several other players, including teammateJonathan Rose). Two of these picks came against his former team, Toronto. Murray also put up 55 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 3 tackles on special teams, and was named to his third CFL-East All-Star team.[4] Murray was also the team nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.[5] Murray advanced to his fourth career Grey Cup game, but were defeated by Calgary.
After their loss in the106th Grey Cup, Ottawa did not extend Murray after his All-Star 2018 season. Murray continued his excellent play, with 50 tackles in 18 games played, and two more interceptions, with one taken back for a score. Murray also made 8 tackles in the playoffs, including his fifth Grey Cup game, a losing effort to Winnipeg. After several days as a free agent in early 2019, Murray signed a contract to rejoin the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[6] Murray retired from professional football on February 18, 2021.[7]