Kyler Murray Follows Tim Tebow’s Footsteps On MLB-NFL Decision

Kyler Murray is creating quite a stir as of late by being a flexible athlete who could make it big in two sports. He was signed by the Oakland Athletics last year in a $4.66 million deal, but it seems he will get a much higher offer should he be drafted high at the 2019 NFL Draft.

Rarely would there be a person who would go pro in two sports. The closest person who comes to mind is Tim Tebow, but he did not do both simultaneously. Tebow played football first and then transitioned to baseball.

In the case of Murray, he could end up doing both for as long as his body can take it. His frame makes him a good fit in baseball, but some are adamant about how he can survive the physical nature of the NFL. At 5-foot-9, he would be one of the shortest quarterbacks that NFL has ever had, unless he can find a way to avoid the sacks from opposing teams.

Hence, it may all boil down to Murray choosing between playing baseball or football. If he is after the money and the challenge that lies ahead, the NFL will likely be his choice. Various mock drafts have come out, and most are expecting the 21-year-old to be among the top picks in the NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals have been linked to him, but so have the Washington Redskins, the Athletic reported.

Tim Tebow, who made headlines last week after proposing to 2017 Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel Peters, shared some thoughts on Murray’s plans.

"Go to work everyday as though football is your only goal — it’s your dream, right — and take that and pursue it and go win yourself a championship, then move on to baseball, but when you’re there, when your mind’s on it, focus on it and be all in," Tebow said in a report by the OU Daily.

Should Murray prioritize football over baseball, it sends out bad signals on the waning popularity of the sport. The two sports are apparently on entirely different levels. It could be the reason behind the Heisman Trophy winner’s decision to prioritize football, although he can always shift to baseball in the future if he fails to make an impact in the NFL. It is the same route Tebow went, meaning he is likely to struggle as well while making the shift, the Score reported.