Quick Chat: Aaron Murray

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

Aaron Murray put up incredible numbers during his four seasons as Georgia's starting quarterback. The former Bulldog star hasn't played in nearly a decade but he remains the SEC's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns (121), completions (921) and passing yards (13,166),

Now a college football analyst for CBS Sports Network, Murray on Wednesday was in Hoover, Ala., for SEC Media Days. He was there on behalf of the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes football players for their commitment to community service. On the list of nominees for 2021 is Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean.

Community service was a big deal to Murray during his playing days in Athens, from 2010-13, and he was on the Good Works Team in 2012. He worked a lot with Extra Special People, which provides meaningful and unique experiences for people with disabilities, while in college, and continues to be involved with the program today.

Murray, who lives in Atlanta, took time out for a Quick Chat on Wednesday, and talked about life after football, the importance of community service, getting comfortable on TV, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:

Frierson: What is it like being back in Hoover, at SEC Media Days?

Murray: I've been back with Sirus XM and this week I'm working with Allstate and the Good Works Team. They just came out with their list of 109 guys (nominees) that got selected and I was lucky enough to be one of the 22 final guys that were selected back in 2012, with my work with Extra Special People.

I'm working with them this week to help promote these kids, their causes, and all of the great stuff they do in the community.

Frierson: How important was that to you back in your playing days?

Murray: It's huge. I worked with Extra Special People there in Athens, for a cause that I'm still very passionate about. We actually had a second annual golf tournament this past Monday. We had a bunch of kids out there and raised a ton of money to help send them to camp.

To me, the Good Works Team allowed me to really shine a brighter light on those kids. For all the players that are nominated for the Good Works Team, and the final 22, it allows them to do the same thing, to shine a brighter light on their cause. ... It's Allstate for goodness sakes, they're huge, so their ability to really spread your message is great.

It also shows people that you are a football player but you're also a human being and want to give back and help others in the community. That's one thing I say to the kids in Athens and players, the fans love you, the city loves you, Atlanta loves you, so give back. If you get involved with the community, they will love it.

I've been a part of a couple of charity golf tournaments the last couple of weeks and the current and former Dawgs are there, hanging out and supporting some great causes.

Frierson: With the Dawgs For Pups initiative that Georgia started last year and everything the team has been doing collectively, it seems like the players are really trying to use their influence and make a big difference in the Athens area.

Murray: Exactly. With social media nowadays, it's amazing the power these kids have to get out their message. These kids have hundreds of thousands of followers, and they're using that and using it wisely, which is awesome to see.

Frierson: Does all the offense we're seeing make you feel a bit more pride that your records are still standing?

Murray: I got lucky enough that I got to play for four years. These kids, they put up all these crazy stats and they go straight to the NFL. They don't stick around for three or four years. That's what you have to do, you have to play at least three years if you want to put up those kinds of stats, and definitely four years if you want to break it.

I'm lucky in that sense that I stuck around for all four years, but the stats that these kids are putting up nowadays, it's unreal. On a good day, on a heavy throwing day, I'd throw the ball 25-30 times in a game. They're throwing the ball 30 times in the first half now. It's just crazy to see the stats.

Frierson: As somebody that transitioned into television after your playing career, how long did it take you to feel like you knew what you were doing in front of the camera?

Murray: Oh, my goodness, my first year was filled with some big mistakes. My first game, I butchered so much. The opening, it sounded like I was speaking a different language.

It took time. Obviously, I was someone that was in front of the camera a lot during my time at Georgia — interviews and media requests and all that stuff — so you get a comfort level, but it's different calling a game. Luckily for me, CBS put me on a lot of games that not a lot of people were watching, which made my life a lot easier.

I'm still growing. This will be my fifth season and I love it. I feel like I'm trying to get better and better every year just like with everything else in my life.

Frierson: What is something about Athens that you miss the most?

Murray: All of it, honestly. It's such a great place. North Campus is really beautiful; the (football) facility, I mean, gosh, the facility right now is incredible. I really miss being in that locker room. Being in Sanford Stadium, playing games in there. I mean, every part of Athens is just special.

(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)

Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.

Players Mentioned

Nakobe Dean

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