RIP Vada Murray

Submitted by DCwolv on
SIAP But he finally lost his battle with cancer and passes today

M Fanfare

April 6th, 2011 at 6:22 PM ^

Damn. I was in John U. Bacon's class and he brought in Vada Murray and Jim Betts to speak to the class the week of the OSU game. He brought the house down. So sad to hear of his passing.

James Burrill Angell

April 6th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^

He gave me my one and only legal infraction in my entire life, an MIP a few months before I turned 21. I was at a function I knew he was going to be at a year ago and showed him a copy, his response was "one of many". The last meeting was less than a year ago when I he was signing items to benefit a scholarship that goes to Michigan students who either have cancer or whose parents have it. He had just been through a round fo chemo and radiation and his doctors said he was responding well. So sad to see it turn so badly so quickly and my sincere condolences to his wife and kids.

MichiganStudent

April 6th, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^

Damn. I was talking to someone the other day that mentioned that he was getting close to passing. This is unfortunate. RIP Vada, my condolences to his family. 

 

Someone needs to find a cure for cancer, and ASAP! 

bluesouth

April 6th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^

Sorrow makes us all children again - destroys all differences of intellect.  The wisest know nothing.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

RIP VM and all prayers to the family.

 

Noleverine

April 6th, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^

I got the chance to hear Vada speak in my History of Athletics class with John U. Bacon (I know, I know, I talk a lot about the class, but it was the greatest class I took at U of M).  He seemed like a great person and a true Michigan Man.  He will be missed.

MGoSoftball

April 6th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^

and now he and Bo are reunited once again.  Bo was waiting at the pearly gates and gave him  hug just as he used to do when Vada would block a FG attempt.

Take care of him Bo.

eth2

April 6th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^

Your accomplishments on the the field are well documented and stand on their own, but your courage throughout this long fight will not soon be forgotten.   R.I.P. and my prayers to your family.

True Blue Grit

April 6th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^

This is SO sad.  I pass on my deepest sympathies to his family and wish Vada eternal peace.  His on-field exploits and accomplishments notwithstanding, Vada was simply a great human being.  I hope all Michigan Men live up to his standards. 

a2bluefan

April 6th, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^

In 1992, I was in a car accident. I was fine, but my car was totalled. It was the first brand new car I'd ever bought, and I'd had it for only 9 days. I was completely dejected. Vada Murray was the police officer who came to the scene. When I realized who he was, somehow my day was just a little bit better.

RIP Vada Murray. May those you leave behind find peace.

 

MGoShoe

April 6th, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^

...Vada.  Career stats for this standout Wolverine, husband, father, and public servant.

Career Defense for Vada Murray
Season Opponent Tac Ast Tot TFL Yds Sack Yds PBU FR Yds FF
1988 at Notre Dame 3 0 3   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 Miami (Fla) 0 4 4   0   0 2 0 0 0
1988 Wake Forest 1 4 5   0   0 1 0 0 0
1988 at Wisconsin 0 2 2   0   0 1 0 0 0
1988 Michigan State 3 1 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 at Iowa 6 1 7   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 Indiana 0 1 1   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 at Northwestern 2 4 6   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 Minnesota 5 0 5   0   0 0 0 0 1
1988 Illinois 1 1 2   0   0 1 0 0 0
1988 at Ohio State 4 5 9   0   0 0 0 0 0
1988 vs USC 4 1 5   0   0 0 0 0 0
  Season Total 29 24 53 0.0 0 0.0 0 5 0 0 1
1989 Notre Dame 1 3 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 at UCLA 4 0 4   0   0 1 0 0 0
1989 Maryland 2 0 2   0   0 1 1 0 1
1989 Wisconsin 5 1 6   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 at Michigan State 4 1 5   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 at Iowa 1 0 1   0   0 2 1 0 0
1989 Indiana 2 1 3   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 Purdue 1 0 1   0   0 1 0 0 0
1989 at Illinois 4 0 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 at Minnesota 3 2 5   0   0 2 0 0 0
1989 Ohio State 4 0 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1989 vs USC 10 0 10   0   0 0 0 0 0
  Season Total 41 8 49 0.0 0 0.0 0 7 2 0 1
1990 at Notre Dame 3 1 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 UCLA 3 1 4   0   0 1 0 0 0
1990 Maryland 6 1 7   0   0 1 0 0 0
1990 at Wisconsin 5 0 5   0   0 0 1 0 0
1990 Michigan State 2 2 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 Iowa 5 1 6   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 at Indiana 1 0 1   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 at Purdue 1 0 1   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 Illinois 1 0 1   0   0 1 0 0 0
1990 at Ohio State 1 3 4   0   0 0 0 0 0
1990 vs Mississippi 3 0 3   0   0 0 0 0 0
  Season Total 31 9 40 0.0 0 0.0 0 3 1 0 0
  Career Total 101 41 142 0.0 0 0.0 0 15 3 0 2


Career Interception Returns for Vada Murray
Season Opponent Num Yds Yds/Num TD Lng
1988 Miami (Fla) 2 18 9.0    
1988 at Wisconsin 1 0 0.0   0
1988 Indiana 1 -3 -3.0   -3
  Season Total 4 15 3.8 0 0
1989 at UCLA 1 0 0.0   0
1989 at Iowa 1 0 0.0   0
1989 Indiana 1 0 0.0   0
1989 Purdue 1 9 9.0   9
  Season Total 4 9 2.3 0 9
1990 at Notre Dame 1 9 9.0   9
1990 Maryland 1 34 34.0   34
1990 Illinois 1 0 0.0   0
  Season Total 3 43 14.3 0 34
  Career Total 11 67 6.1 0 34

 

M-Wolverine

April 6th, 2011 at 9:03 PM ^

Saw this, and said "Oh, no" out loud. My condolences to his family.
<br>
<br>Not only a great Wolverine, but one of the best cops I've ever seen, and from all indications, a wonderful family man. I'm sorry to hear he's taken away from his wife and kids too soon. All the strength I can will to them.