Boston College Athletics
Football's Tyler Murphy is Home Sweet Home
October 22, 2014 | Football
By Kristen Scott
"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you."
Graduate quarterback Tyler Murphy let a wry smile emerge on his face. He can still hear his father's proverb, a lesson instilled in him after a winless season in his first year of youth football. Whether he's scampering for the end zone or throwing an interception, going three-and-out or moving the chains on third-and-long, Murphy can still hear those words. It's always onto the next play.
"My dad has always told me to keep my head up, no matter what the situation is. You're going to lose games, but you've got to look forward," Murphy said.
The 2014 Boston College squad has lost three games with more than half the season tucked away. One to a physical Pittsburgh team and another to a resilient Colorado State offense.
The Eagles adopted Peter Murphy's adage following those losses, rearing their heads to topple ninth-ranked Southern California after Pitt and securing their first ACC win at NC State following Colorado State. They got comfortable in the chaos, the pressure, the unsettling feeling of being David against Goliath and heading into uncharted territory in the first road game of the year.
The comfort level of these 2014 Eagles in the face of adversity trickles down from their leader. After a rhythmless procession of offensive coordinators at Florida, an injury and an unknown horizon, inconsistency became the norm for Tyler Murphy.
At Boston College, Murphy has finally become comfortable.
Just an hour and a half from his hometown of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Murphy's family comes up to The Heights on game days to watch him play at Alumni Stadium. The proximity allows Murphy to spend time with his family more regularly. He caught his younger cousin's basketball game during the bye week.
"All of that allowed me to really be myself because I feel like I'm back at home. I feel like I can let down my guard--really just have fun and enjoy the moment and make the best of this experience. That's something I'm really happy about," Murphy said.
In Boston, Murphy is surrounded by family--and not just those who share his last name.
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"I feel like I'm back at home. I feel like I can let down my guard--really just have fun and enjoy the moment and make the best of this experience."
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"In Florida, everything's about football. Here, there's more of a family-type atmosphere. The academic staff, coaches, everybody tries to treat everyone as if they're family and supports them. That's the vibe I got when I first got here. It sent chills down my back because it's definitely something I wanted to be a part of. When I first experienced that, I felt like I made the right decision," Murphy said.
Murphy has found his identity as an Eagle. The signal caller leads by example on the field, touting a team-high 711 yards rushing on the year, his feet finding the end zone in every game this season. Quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Day has elicited Murphy's natural ability to guide a young football team.
"Coach Day is a down-to-earth kind of guy. If I feel like something's wrong or I'm not comfortable with something, I can just go right to him. I don't have to hesitate; I can just say it. He's not afraid to tell me if I'm doing a bad job at this, or if I'm not doing a good job leading. As a veteran, you have to be sure you're doing the right things and setting the right example for the younger players. We've built a bond and I don't want to let him down," Murphy said.
Murphy's identity as a man is just as vital in providing the young Eagles with a sense of purpose. Murphy's upbringing has etched him a map of wisdom that allows him to navigate his team with ease.
"I was in third grade getting ready to go to my first basketball practice of the year and I got a phone call home about my behavior in school - how I wasn't doing well - and my mom yanked me for the whole season. It taught me that if you're not serious about your priorities, you're not going to make it very far in life," Murphy explained.
Murphy has made his priorities very clear: Blaze a trail for this Boston College football team. In a place he feels home, Tyler Murphy is ready to eat the bear.
