The match between rookie defensive lineman Byron Murphy II and the Seattle Seahawks seems to have been made in heaven. Even though 15 teams around the league were picking ahead of them in the draft, Murphy still landed in their laps, even though he was the number one overall defensive prospect on their board and the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams were desperately trying to trade up to get him. This came just a few days after we had learned that Murphy grew up as a Legion of Boom fan, even though he lived in Texas and his family consisted of Dallas Cowboys fans.
Murphy eventually transitioned to play the defensive line, but started out as a running back in high school. That means that like an entire generation of running backs, he looked up to franchise legend Marshawn Lynch. Here's what Murphy said when he met with Lynch and former Seattle fullback Michael Robinson on their new podcast, the Get Got Pod.
Byron Murphy II talks to Marshawn Lynch, Mike Rob
Murphy: "Watching Seattle, watching y'all play, I don't know what it was, just the excitement, bro. Just the way y'all was just beating ass... the way Marshawn... to sit here with you right now, bro it's crazy, it's a blessing. I used to like, love your ass growing up."
Robinson: "Man, don't tell him that, man."
Murphy: "Nah, I'm being for real... you know I used to play running back, so I used to look up to you for real, for real. To be serious."
Lynch: "When you make the transition then?"
Murphy: "I made the transition my first year of high school.... that's when I stopped. I played running back my Freshman year... I switched to defense. I've been playing defense ever since."
Lynch: "What kind of running back was you?"
Murphy: "I was really like you. Running through faces... I've got a lot of love for Seattle, though. I've been with the Seahawks since I was a kid. I always been a die-hard fan."
So far Murphy has posted six tackles, including the first sack of his NFL career last week against the New England Patriots. Murphy's numbers may not jump out on a box score, but that doesn't mean he's not making an impact. Watch this space for his inevitable breakout game.
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