‘He’s always with us’: NFL shot credits late father’s passion for American football to his second-chance at elite sport

NFL recruit Patrick Murtagh has credited his late father’s passion for American football for inspiring him to begin a sport that could pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars. Read what he said here.

NFL recruit Patrick Murtagh has credited his late father’s passion for American football for inspiring him to begin a sport that could pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It has come as a whirlwind for the 23-year-old former The Southport School student, who less than 12 months ago was coming to terms with the end of his AFL career at the Gold Coast Suns.

After progressing through the International Player Program, Murtagh has scored one of the biggest opportunities in global sport with a spot on the Detroit Lions’ NFL list.

Tight end Patrick Murtagh. Picture: Supplied

And if he continues to train well, it could result in a permanent spot – reportedly worth roughly $705,000 for a base salary, with the league’s average salary at about $2.7m.

But amid the jubilation, the past two years for Murtagh have been filled with heartbreak, losing his father Michael to cancer in 2021.

It was Michael who first inspired the former state champion decathlete’s love for NFL, introducing him to the sport as a kid when they first barracked for the Denver Broncos, stemming from his father’s love of the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team. “I’ve always really loved the sport as a kid,” Murtagh said.

“My dad and I grew up supporting the same team and watching the sport. It was only played on one TV channel on one day of the week, so it was a special moment that we got to share and I think that’s what gives it a special part of my heart.

“We’ve always loved it and to see the opportunity be there for myself is pretty surreal.”

Patrick Murtagh and his father Michael at a state athletics event. Picture Instagram

Murtagh said it put a smile on his face knowing his dad was still there, even if not physically, to share this week’s news with him.

“We shared a special moment last night, my sister and my mum and I,” he said.

“It was an emotional time but we all know he is with us, even if we don’t realise it he’s always there sharing these moments with us.

“It does put a smile on my face. Whether I’m on the field or off, he’s always with us.”

Murtagh will remain with the Lions until the end of training camp, and could then be kept on the practice squad using an exemption – or elevated to the active squad to play for the NFC North side.

What is even more miraculous is that Murtagh could become the first Australian IPP player to break the punter position and play tight end, a hybrid blocking and pass-receiving position that is perfect for his 196cm tall and 114kg physique.

Patrick Murtagh during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session in 2020. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“It’s an incredible feeling to be the first tight end from Australia to be selected, and I hope it does inspire other athletes to go over not as a stereotypical punter, as us Aussies tend to go over as,” he said.

Murtagh is not the first Australian to progress through the IPP program, with rugby league convert Jordan Mailata joining the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive line starter, even lining up in the Super Bowl this past season.

“Hopefully the likes of Jordan Mailata and other athletes over there inspire more athletes to make the change,” Murtagh said.