Titans wide receiver O.J. Murdock commits suicide
Tennessee Titans wide receiver O.J. Murdock died Monday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Murdock was 25 years old.
According to police, the wide receiver was found in his car in front of Middleton High School, Murdock’s alma mater, at 8:30 a.m. He was alive but in critical condition when first responders found him and was later pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital at 10:43 a.m.
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock’s death this morning,” the Titans said in a team statement. “In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to O.J., and this is a difficult time for them. He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year’s training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy.”
Murdock signed with the Titans in 2011 as an undrafted free agent but never played in a game. He was absent from Titans camp, which began on July 27, but was reportedly excused for personal reasons.
Murdock was a highly touted prospect for the University of South Carolina, but transferred to Fort Hays State after disciplinary issues and an arrest for grand theft shoplifting caused him to take time off from football. Murdock’s younger brother, Sherod Murdock, is a junior defensive back for Fort Hays State.
