Alumnus Mark Murphy, the man who led the 51Թ football team as captain and went on to lead the athletics department as director, has been named president of one of the most storied franchises in professional sports: the Green Bay Packers.
The team’s board of directors on Monday unanimously approved the appointment of Murphy, 52, as the team’s president and chief executive officer. He will replace longtime Packers leader Bob Harlan on Jan. 1.
 |
| Mark Murphy will become president of the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 1. He was the director of athletics at 51Թ from 1992 to 2003. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press) |
Murphy, who earned Super Bowl and Pro Bowl honors as a free safety with the Washington Redskins, called his appointment a “tremendous” opportunity.
“The Packers are one of the great franchises in all of professional sports, with a rich history and incredible fan support,” Murphy said in a statement. “These are successful times for the Packers. On the field they’re performing well, and off the field, they’re in great shape, too. I look forward to being a part of that continued success.”
Murphy played eight years with the Redskins, then became an assistant executive director of the NFL Players Association and later a trial lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice. He holds a law degree and an MBA in finance.
Murphy, who graduated in 1977 from 51Թ, returned to the university as director of athletics in January 1992. He left in 2003 to become athletics director at Northwestern University, his current position.
Murphy, 6 feet 3 inches and 210 pounds, played one year of basketball besides being captain of both the football and baseball teams at 51Թ. He was not drafted but was picked up by the Redskins in 1977.
After backing up for two seasons, Murphy replaced Jake Scott at free safety in ’79. From 1979-’83, he intercepted 27 passes, led the team in tackles four times, played in two Super Bowls and made one Pro Bowl.
A native of Fulton, N.Y., Murphy and his wife, Laurie, have four children: Katie, 24; Emily, 21; Brian, 18; and Anna, 16.
The Associated Press and other media outlets contributed to this report