Kevin Murray emotional in discussing Cotton Bowl HOF nod

Notes from Kevin Murray interview

* The whole experience has been quite humbling and he’s still trying to wrap his hands around what is actually going on. It’s one of the greatest things that has ever happened to him and having grown up in DFW makes it even more special. He grew up watching the Cotton Bowl and that makes it an emotional day for him because he understands the history and significance of the game. He was talking earlier about the great players that have played in the Cotton Bowl in years past, and he isn’t sure that there is another game in the country that can tout the names of superstars like the Cotton Bowl can.

* In the 1986 game, it wasn’t enough for A&M just to be there, they wanted to win. Being inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame isn’t just about him, but also about the people that helped him be successful and get to that point. When a team comes together the way that one did, due to the way Coach Sherrill formed them, it made for a special moment. That game was magical and was the stamp of approval needed to bring closure to a great season.

* In 1985, A&M opened with Alabama on the road. That was the most hostile environment that he had ever seen. Coach Sherrill was able to take a relatively young team into a hostile environment and even though they lost that game, he knew what he was working with and knew that that team could be great. From that point on, the team didn’t like the feeling that they had, even though the loss was to one of the most historical programs of all-time. They competed and battled which helped them grow as a team, more so than playing a smaller team would have. Everyone enjoys winning, but at some point you have to throw yourself into the fire to see what you actually have to work with.

* The comeback win over Baylor is very special to him because of the circumstances and the way the game played out. That Baylor team was just as good as A&M was that year, but A&M knew how to win while Baylor cracked under the pressure.

* The 1986 Cotton Bowl win is even more special than that Baylor game though because of what it meant to all of the Aggies everywhere and not just the ones on the football team.

* He has always shot from the hip when it comes to giving speeches because he believes in speaking from the heart. However, knowing the significance and importance of the day to himself and many others, he prepared a speech in case he can’t control his emotions on stage.

* When he got the news that he was being inducted, about a month after his dad passed away, it made for a bittersweet moment.

* Being inducted is a great honor and serves as recognition to the entire group of players and staff that made him great.

* He believes the day will come when more players from his time at A&M will be inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. He hopes that every few years an Aggie can get in and would like to see about three of them be inducted in the next 10 years.