Video: Kyler Murray - Ultimate Highlights - Allen (TX)
See why Kyler Murray was chosen as the Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year.
LOS ANGELES — Evidently
Kyler Murray doesn't lose at anything. Well, if you don't count bowling.
Kyler Murray, Allen
Photo by Scott Hargrove
The remarkably elusive and nimble quarterback from
Allen (Texas), who went 43-0 and captured three 6A state titles, won the Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year award Tuesday in a lavish and hearty affair at the LA Hotel Downtown.
Murray, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound graduate who will play next season at Texas A&M, beat out five other sport-specific athletes of the year, including top basketball recruit
Ben Simmons of
Montverde Academy (Fla.) and two-time national cross country champion Grant Fisher of
Grand Blanc (Mich.).
Fisher was the best bowler among all the elite athletes, a fact Murray didn't want to discuss.
"I don't lose at Xbox," Murray said. "I don't lose at ping pong. I'd like to challenge (Simmons) in basketball. I used to shoot lights out. .... I hit 100-something in bowling but that's all I have to say about that. My mom used to be a top bowler. She's not too proud of me on the bowling circuit."
But she was watching Murray collect the shiny Gatorade trophy presented by the quartet of J.J. Watt, Draymond Green, Karl-Anthony Towns and Landon Donovan.
"I'm honored to have won the award," said Murray, who accounted for 6,213 yards and 78 touchdowns last season, leading Allen to a 16-0 record. "I'm happy because it makes my family proud, it makes the community of Allen proud. I'm proud of what I could do on the field and also for being a good guy off of it."
Simmons, who averaged 27.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists, leading Montverde Academy to a mythical national championship, wasn't surprised Murray won the award.
"He hasn't lost a game since his freshmen year? In Texas? That says it all," Simmons said.
Kyler Murray gives a speech after being named the Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year.
Photo courtesy of Susan Goldman/Gatorade
While Murray's win was expected, Candace Hill, a record-setting sophomore sprinter from
Rockdale County (Conyers, Ga.), was something of a surprise winner. She is competing in the IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships in Colombia and couldn't accept the award, which was presented by Candace Parker, Abby Wambach, DeMarco Murray and Julie Foudy.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Photo by Scott Hargrove
Hill is the first non-senior to win the girls award in the 13-year history of the Athlete of the Year presentation. This is the 30th year of the Gatorade Player of the Year awards.
She became the first prep girl in history to break the 11-second barrier in
the 100-meter by going 10.98 seconds at the Brooks PR meet in Seattle.
It was a time that would have won six of the past eight NCAA
championships. Hill also won the Georgia 6A 200 state title in 23.05.
"I'm speechless," she said in a telephone interview. "It feels amazing. To be one of 12 finalists was one thing, but to be named the winner was something I just didn't see coming."
There were numerous tributes to the late Stuart Scott, who hosted the event for 11 years before missing last July's while battling cancer. He died in January.
Scott's daughters Taelor and Sydni were presented with checks from Gatorade for cancer research. Each daughter gave short, moving speeches as well.
The rest of the night belonged to both the high school and professional athletes.
"It's a night you can't really put into words," Simmons said. "It's one of those things you have to be here to really experience."
A group shot of all the Gatorade Players of the Year and presenters.
Photo courtesy of Susan Goldman/Gatorade
