One of the most inspirational speeches of the 20th century was given by former North Carolina State Basketball Coach Jim Valvano during half-time on February 21, 1993. It was during this speech that Valvano stressed the importance of hope, love, and persistence in athletics and included his famous “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up” quotation. Former Middleton star Sherod Murdock is an excellent example of type of person Valvano was talking about in his speech and represents why no athlete should ever give up on their dreams and aspirations.
Murdock was a shining star for Middleton throughout his high school career. Former high school coach Harry Hubbard, Murdock’s high school football coach, stated that, “Sherod made an immediate impact from the moment he stepped foot on campus his freshman year.” Sherod was a four year starter for the Tigers and finished his senior season with 60 tackles, 4 interceptions and as one of the most coveted defensive backs in the South.
Sherod and good friend and Plant Quarterback Robert Marve decided to commit to the University of Alabama during the summer before their senior year. The pair spurned offers from almost every major college in the nation in order to play together under Alabama’s Coach Mike Shula; however, weeks before signing day 2007 Shula would be fired and Sherod’s long and arduous road to the NFL would begin.
Sherod was a victim of the unsavory world of college coaching turnover. With the departure of Shula, he was left scrambling to find a program and a late visit to Pittsburg sealed the deal for the Panthers. Sherod redshirted his first year at Pittsburg and was transitioning well. He was expected to compete for playing time during the 2008 season when an altercation with a teammate led to his dismissal from the University.
A distraught Murdock enrolled in Pearl River Community College during the summer of 2008. Throughout the fall of 2009 Murdock competed for the Wildcats making 21 tackles and 2 interceptions; yet, he lost his focus and never felt quite right.
Sherod left Pearl River that December and would not return. Instead he went home to Tampa where he received the love and support of his family that he severely missed. Sherod went on a two year journey of self-enlightenment while at home and agonized over the sport he adored as a child. He was embarrassed by his failure at Pittsburg and was not sure if football should remain a significant part of his life; yet, his older brother gave him reason to believe again.
OJ Murdock was also a star player at Middleton High School and was expected to be a stellar wide receiver for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina when some unfortunate legal trouble led him to Ft. Hayes State College. During the 2010 football season OJ had a break out year for the Tigers which enabled him to secure a spot on the Tennessee Titans practice squad. Through his brothers encouragement Sherod decided it was time to rekindle his love of football and he enrolled in Ft. Hayes. After a two year lay-off Sherod was finally back where he belonged.
Despite the time off Sherod earned one of the starting defensive back spots for Ft. Hays in 2011. During the 2011 football season Sherod has impressive stats (38 Tackles/5 TFL/ 1 Sack/ 2 Int. / 2 FF) in spite of frequent pain in his knee. Sherod fought through the pain until May of 2012. While visiting Tampa Sherod felt that he should get a second opinion on the knee and he visited Dr. Seth Gasser. Dr. Gasser is a renowned orthopedic surgeon and he discovered a meniscus tear. The knee injury would cost Sherod the 2012 football season; yet, the persistent athlete would not let an injury stop him from achieving his goal.
As soon as his knee recovered Sherod began working out with local fitness guru/Athletic Sports performance trainer Dwight Ross. Sherod is not eligible for the 2013 NFL draft because he did not play this season; however, he is determined to be picked up as a free agent. Ross says that Sherod has molded himself into a physical specimen over the last few months and that NFL teams are beginning to take notice including the Buccaneers. Sherod has ties to Bucs special teams coach Dave Wannstedt (his head coach at Pitt) and head coach Greg Schiano (he recruited him heavily out of high school).
Sherod has looked adversity in the face and refused to yield and his tireless work ethic has led him to improve his 40-time (4.44) and size (194lbs/ 18 bench reps of 225) and Ross is certain that he has the ability to make an NFL team. That would not surprise Coach Hubbard who stated that, “despite his ups and downs you always knew that Sherod would be a kid that would overcome any obstacle and weather any storm.” Sherod is hungry for the opportunity to prove to a NFL team that he belongs. It has been a long journey for him with numerous hurdles to clear; yet the destination is finally in sight.
– Anthony Peace