ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Chiefs rookie Aaron Murray was tied up in meetings Monday night, at the same time millions of people were tuning into ABC to see whether his brother would be popping the question.
No worries. Murray knew months ago that his brother, Josh Murray, would be chosen by “The Bachelorette” Andi Dorfman on this season of the reality dating show.
In fact, the finale was taped the same week as the NFL draft, making it a memorable weekend in his household.
“He’s excited. He’s very happy,” the younger Murray said after Wednesday’s practice on the campus of Missouri Western. “It was fun watching him when I got the opportunity to watch on TV. And I’ve got a (future) sister-in-law, so I’m happy.”
Aaron Murray even got a bit of TV time himself, offering up a toast when Dorfman visited the Murray household during one of the late-season episodes. That episode coincided with the pro days that the QB was having for prospective NFL teams in the weeks leading up to the draft.
“The finale happened the week of the draft, actually. We knew that Friday of the draft, we got a call from him — ‘Hey, she picked me. I proposed. We’re engaged.’ So it was an exciting weekend,” Aaron Murray said. “He gets engaged, the next day I get drafted.”
Like his younger brother, Josh grew up playing sports, but he ultimately gravitated toward baseball first. He was plucked out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2002 draft, only to fizzle out after several years in the minor leagues.
He later enrolled at Georgia and spent two seasons playing safety while Aaron was becoming the star quarterback, setting SEC records for completions, yards passing and touchdown passes.
Josh Murray now lives in Atlanta, the same city Dorfman calls home, though his little brother anticipates seeing both of them at Arrowhead Stadium at some point this season.
Aaron Murray — who is dating Philadelphia TV reporter Kacie McDonnell — is competing with Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray to back up Alex Smith, and will get his first opportunity to make his case in a preseason game on Aug. 7 against Cincinnati.
“I feel great right now. I feel ready. I feel comfortable with the playbook and I’m excited,” he said. “My first time in Arrowhead Stadium, my first NFL experience. I’m looking forward to it.”
Even more than he’s looking forward to seeing the finale of “The Bachelorette.”
“I still need to get it on iTunes or something,” he said with a smile.
