Hall of Fame
After starring on West Liberty's 1979 WVIAC football championship squad, Mark Murphy went on to spend more than a decade in the NFL as a starting defensive back for the Green Bay Packers.
The Canton, Ohio native cracked the Hilltoppers' starting lineup as a sophomore in 1977, earning his first All-WVIAC citation and emerged as a true force the following season when he led the Black and Gold in interceptions while ranking among the team leaders in tackles and punt returns. Murphy was a huge factor in helping lead Coach John Westenhaver's 1979 squad to a conference title. He once again led the team in interceptions along with total tackles, fumble recoveries and blocked kicks.
Signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent, Murphy exploded onto the NFL scene as Green Bay's 1981 Rookie of the Year. A full-time starter at strong safety by 1983, Murphy enjoyed a 12-year NFL career with the Packers. He led the team in tackles on numerous occasions and was voted Green Bay's 1988 NFL Man of the Year. Murphy was inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame in 1998.
