Kyler Murray’s rise to NFL stardom has been marked by talent, determination, and preparation. But behind every great athlete is a foundation, and in Murray’s case, that foundation starts with his family.
His success has been shaped not only by his skills on the field but also by the values, discipline, and identity instilled at home. From his early days in Texas to becoming the face of the Arizona Cardinals, Murray has leaned on the lessons from his parents.
To understand his journey fully, it is important to look at the people who raised him.
Meet Kyler Murray’s Family
Kyler’s father, Kevin Murray, played a major role in shaping his athletic path. Kevin was a standout quarterback at Texas A&M during the 1980s, earning All-Conference honors and cementing himself as one of the program’s best passers of that era.
Before football, he was also selected in the 1982 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th Round, 287th overall. After his playing career, Kevin transitioned into coaching and training, founding the Air 14 Quarterback Academy.
“Kevin is a very intense instructor with all his clients and his kid,” Kyler’s mother told SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. “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.”
Kyler’s mother, Missy Murray, added a different but equally significant dimension to his upbringing. Her influence has been deeply personal as well, shaping Kyler’s sense of organization, work ethic, and connection to his heritage.
The Cardinals quarterback calls his mom his best friend.
“To my mom: You’re my best friend,” Murray SAID during his Heisman acceptance speech. “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.”
Initially, Kyler wasn’t clear about which sport he wanted to play professionally. Since he was good at multiple sports, he thought that choosing one sport meant parting ways with everything else.
“He struggled with that so deeply; Kevin and I didn’t know what he was going to do for the longest time,” Missy told Sports Illustrated. “It took talking and more talking to get to a point where…he felt like, I can do this. The NFL does want me.”
Together, Kevin and Missy provided a household where expectations were high but support was steady. Kyler grew up in Texas, attended Allen High School, and then joined Texas A&M in 2015. He ended up joining the Oklahoma Sooners the following season.
After two years in Oklahoma, the 2018 Heisman winner was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 as the number one draft pick. He hasn’t looked back since.
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