One of the Tennessee Titans has taken his life. Police found wide receiver O.J. Murdock parked in front of his former high school in Tampa with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 25-year-old’s short career had been plagued by adversity. While playing at the University of South Carolina, Murdock was dismissed after a run in with the law. When he signed to play with the Titans last year, an Achilles injury kept him sidelined.
Titans Coach Mike Munchak says Murdock failed to show up for training camp last week but had been in contact with the team.
“I think everyone was shocked by it and I no one was aware that, I mean we weren’t aware that there were any issues going on.”
In the last year and a half, three former NFL players have shot themselves, the best known being linebacker Junior Seau. Two of the three have been found to have brain damage, presumably from their time in the league.
Murdock’s situation appears different, though. At 25, he is much younger and spent much less time playing football.
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