NFL hopeful tells harrowing story of surviving Aurora theater shooting

Jordan Murphy played his college ball at Colorado, playing fullback for the Buffaloes. Fullbacks are usually long shots to get drafted if they get drafted at all. But he almost didn’t even get the chance to make it this far, as he was in the theater in Aurora, Colorado where James Holmes opened fire on the audience during a 2012 showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Murphy was a sophomore and had just been cut by the Colorado State football program when he found himself involved in the terrifying ordeal. Recently, he spoke about the horrifying experience with Hannah Storm on SportsCenter:

“[Holmes] comes in to the right, my front right — we were in the fourth row. I can see his weapons. I can see him pretty clearly,” Murphy said. “He’s dressed up like Bane, you know, the character in the movie, so you’re thinking, ‘Oh, it’s opening night, this is some cool stunt to get people going.’ But then he launches the tear gas and right then I knew it was real. …

“We ducked down, we waited a few seconds. I heard his gun click that he was out of ammunition, so we crawled as fast as we could and then stood up at the end of the row to run. I think I attracted his attention because he turned his head to me, took a shot. Don’t know if it was a shotgun or his AR-15, but the bullet hit right over my head, drywall exploded, sprayed on my face, the dust went in my eyes. At that point I’m thinking I’m not getting out, but I’m running along the way, we were getting ready to turn the corner and the bullet just smashed the drywall. They always said the reason I couldn’t play Division I as a linebacker was because I wasn’t 6-2. I’m 6 feet. If I was 6-2, I’d probably be dead because that bullet is in my head.”

Murphy did not record a single rushing attempt or reception during his college career. He was a key special teams contributor in Boulder, the role that is most likely to get him a deal with an NFL team or, at the very least, a camp invite.

Although he did not get an invite to participate at this week’s Scouting Combine, Murphy does have hope, as niether Seattle Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin and Pittsburgh Steelers LB James Harrsion received invites but have carved out key roles in the league.

Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!

*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Leidner hopes to be ready for spring training
Mitch Leidner hopes to be ready for spring training