As sports fans wait to see what kind of uniform Kyler Murray dons in the coming months, the two-sport phenom kept the intrigue high during a press tour on Friday.
Murray appeared on several studio shows from Atlanta as part of a Super Bowl week press tour. That included a lengthy interview on the Dan Patrick Show, where Murray did his due diligence to give almost nothing away as to whether he'll choose professional football or baseball. The A's selected Murray, who commanded a $4.66 million signing bonus, ninth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, but he then captured college football's Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,361 yards while totaling 42 touchdown passes and seven interceptions for the University of Oklahoma.
Murray declared for the NFL Draft, but A's vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane reiterated on Saturday that the club still believes Murray will report to Spring Training.
When Patrick asked Murray directly if he would report to Spring Training, however, Murray did not give an answer. Murray was also mum when asked if he would attend the NFL Combine -- as was his father, also in attendance. Murray was non-committal as to whether he would hold a pro day for NFL teams, which would theoretically come after the Combine.
"Everybody keeps asking the same questions," Murray said, "but they'll soon be answered."
Murray remained silent on several other questions from Patrick. Murray would not name what his favorite sport is, though he did reveal that he grew up rooting for the Mets and that shortstop José Reyes was his favorite player. In a perfect world, Murray would prefer to play football and baseball, but he did admit that the demands of playing quarterback in the NFL could make that difficult. Patrick referenced Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's recent admission that he would have received criticism that playing baseball would keep him from studying the football playbook (the Yankees currently hold Wilson's baseball rights). The host then asked Murray if he could play both sports if he were drafted by the Oakland (soon to be Las Vegas) Raiders, theoretically keeping his options local.
"In my head, I would love to play both," Murray said. "That would be up to the Raiders and the A's."
Murray also appeared on ESPN's Get Up! program, but he remained careful through further questions about his much-anticipated future.
"When I was young, I always wrote on the paper that I want to be a professional athlete," Murray said. "I've got one [sport] locked up right now, and I have an opportunity to, if I do choose the football route, be selected in another sport. For me it's just all a dream come true. I'm blessed to be in this position, and I'm just taking it one day at a time."
Murray was vague when asked by host Mike Greenberg what factors are going into his decision, but he hinted that his choice is imminent.
"That's a tough question," Murray said. "I've really weighed out all the options, and it's really coming down to these last couple days. I'll probably make a decision soon -- after the Super Bowl -- really soon, actually.
"I've weighed out all the options I possibly could, trust me."