Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak and general manager Ruston Webster expressed their condolences to the family of wide receiver O.J. Murdock after the death of their son Monday.
Munchak received a phone call Monday morning with news that Murdock had passed away in Tampa, Fla., after an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to local police. The Titans head coach later addressed his team before Monday afternoon's practice.
“It's a phone call that you never want to get,” Munchak said. “Its something as a head coach you never think you have to do -- stand in front of your team and give them that type of news.”
Added Webster: “It's very tough for us as a team; our heart goes out to his family.” A member of the Titans organization contacted Murdock last week when the second-year receiver did not report for the start of training camp on Friday. Munchak said he did not sense that Murdock had been suffering from any emotional issues. “We were concerned initially when O.J didn't report,” Webster said. “We were able to make contact with him, and he assured us everything was OK.”
Murdock was signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of Fort Hays State (Kan.) last July after the lockout ended. The wide receiver missed all of the 2011 season after suffering an Achilles injury on the second day of Titans' training camp.
Munchak said he was unaware if Murdock had any head injuries dating back to college. A spokesman from Fort Hays State was also unaware if Murdock experienced any concussions when he played for the Division II school and declined comment. Murdock only missed one game in his two seasons at Fort Hays State -- where he set the school's single-season record for receiving yards in 2010.
Before arriving at Fort Hays State, Murdock enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 2005 and played four games for the Gamecocks in 2006. Murdock transferred after his redshirt freshman season and spent his sophomore year at Pearl River Community College (Miss.) in 2007.
“All of us here are saddened to hear of O.J.'s passing,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement. “Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends." A South Carolina team spokesman, declining further comment, was also unaware if Murdock experienced any head injuries while playing for the Gamecocks.
Webster knew of Murdock's potential dating back to the mid-2000s when he served as the director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005. As a senior at Middleton High School in Tampa, Murdock earned all-state honors and entered the SEC as the No. 7 wide receiver in the Class of 2005 by Prep Star.
“He was a great high school player,” Webster said. “He was a talented guy.”
The Titans have not announced whether they plan to place a No. 15 commemorative patch on team jerseys for the upcoming season or if the team will have a moment of silence for Murdock before the preseason home opener Aug. 23.
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