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CHARACTER COUNTS

Kyler Murray contributes $20,000 to Arizona community organizations

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray gave back to the community with two $10,000 donations to local organizations focused on enriching children's lives.

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray presents a check to the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley on Thursday, Marc...

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray presents a check to the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley on Thursday, March 25, 2022, in Phoenix. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

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PHOENIX — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray gave back to the local community on Thursday with a pair of $10,000 checks to the Arizona Education Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley.

The donations, which were made in partnership by Murray and Kretschmar Foods through Safeway/Albertson’s will help both organizations in enriching children’s lives and were something Murray was eager in getting involved with.

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“It’s an adopted home,” Murray told reporters. “I’m here, I’ve been here for three years now. I think for me personally, obviously wanting to be here long term, being able to go out and impact the people that live in Arizona as well as Texas.

“But just being able to give back to everybody, anybody that I can impact, be able to shed light on them and support these people.”

It was a busy day away from the football field for the quarterback entering his fourth NFL season.

On top of the check presentations and events that followed, Murray also took the time to address where he stands with the Cardinals during an offseason filled with contract extension talk and reports of frustration from both sides.

“I’m an Arizona Cardinal,” Murray said. “I have done nothing but give my all to the Cardinals, will continue to do that. I’m not really too worried about my future as a Cardinal.”

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His charitable efforts started over at the Arizona Education Foundation, where he not only presented a $10,000 check, but also took took a crack at being a trivia host.

From there, it was off to the Jerry Colangelo Branch of the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley, where the activities were more up Murray’s alley.

After a quick check presentation, it was time to hit the football field. Three stations of activities, one NFL quarterback and a whole bunch of eager kids.

And while the donation will immediately go into the club’s food program that helps teach kids about nutrition and making quality life choices in what they eat going forward, Murray’s interaction with the group goes a long way in itself.

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“I think about the conversations that are going to happen when they go home tonight,” Boys & Girls Club of the Valley vice president of development Sam Fowler said. “They’re going to go, ‘Hey mom, hey dad, I caught a pass from Kyler Murray.’

“It’s amazing of how often just a touch like that from someone like him to these kids and just an encouraging word goes a really long way with everything they’re facing every day.”

The fun began with a game of football and Murray the all-time quarterback before getting some footwork in and ending with some accuracy drills.

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“For me personally, just being blessed with the platform that I have,” Murray said. “Being a kid looking up to so many athletes, I never really got this — having my favorite athletes come back and talk to me or go through that experience.

“I’ve had so many people impact my life. … (Getting to go back) to impact those kids’ lives, it’s a special deal.”

Tyler Drake Cardinals reporter and ArizonaSports.com editor

Born and raised in Kelseyville, California, I spent most of my summers growing up in Arizona. There were a lot of trips to Globe and the East Valley. Once out of high school, I attended the University of Arizona with a major in natural resources… Read more

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