Murray announces commitment to football

It has been an eventful eight months for Kyler Murray.

Since he was drafted with the A’s ninth overall pick in last June’s MLB draft, the University of Oklahoma two-sport standout has asserted his interest in a baseball career, won the Heisman Trophy and weighed the option of pursuing professional careers in both baseball and football.

Just two weeks ago, A’s GM David Forst was still hopeful the outfielder and quarterback would report to Spring Training:

“We’d love to we have him. He’s invited to Spring Training, we’re hoping he’s there. He’s an incredible young man and will be a great asset for the A’s.”

Forst added:

“We made it clear to Kyler how much we’d like to have him here and how great a baseball player we think he can be.”

Clearly, the intrigue of baseball and the Oakland A’s could not sway Murray from a career in the NFL. He announced Monday, via twitter:

“Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.”

The graphic includes Murray’s signature and is led with the statement:

“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback.”

Throughout the past football season, A’s manager Bob Melvin continuously marveled at Murray’s incredible feats of athleticism. As it turns out, the junior signal caller’s 4,361 passing yards and 42 touchdowns along with 1,001 rushing yards and 12 scores netted NCAA football’s highest honor and created too enticing an opportunity for the 21-year-old Texan to turn down.

Kalama Hines is SFBay’s sports director and Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @HineSight_2020 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.