A former Gamecock and Tennessee Titan player has died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to multiple media reports, O.J. Murdock, a reserve wide receiver for the Titans, was found in his car outside his alma mater, Middleton High School in Tampa, Fla. He was transported to an area hospital, but later died, according to an article by CBS Sports.
The story said Murdock was excused from practice Sunday for the second day in a row citing personal reasons. The Titans released the following statement on the team website:
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock’s death this morning. In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to O.J., and this is a difficult time for them. He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year’s training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy.”
A 2005 graduate of Middleton High School, Murdock played signed with South Carolina. He was redshirted during his first season and played only four games before being suspended in 2006 on a shoplifting charge at a Florida department story, AP reports.
Murdock signed with the Titans as a free agent last year.
Murdock Murdock was teammates with former Denver Broncos player Kenny McKinley while at USC. McKinley committed suicide in September of 2010.
