Ex Cowboys' Rushing Champion Suspended by NCAA

FRISCO — The NCAA announced recruiting violations across the University of Oklahoma's football program Tuesday. Those infractions involved former Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.

The NCAA announced a one-game suspension for the Murray after the current Oklahoma running backs coach had impermissible contact with 17 prospects in a span of 16 months. That communication consisted of 65 phone calls and 36 text messages.

According the NCAA's statement , Murray indicated that he had not been aware of a COVID-19 waiver regarding a rule of contact had expired. It has not been determined when Murray will serve his suspension.

An Oklahoma spokesperson released the following statement to ESPN's Heather Dinich.

​ ​​"The University discovered the violations through its monitoring systems and investigated, reported, and addressed the matters promptly and appropriately," the statement read. "The violations in question were limited to the actions of a coach who is no longer employed by the University and a current assistant coach. OU worked with the NCAA to manage the review and reach a conclusion, and penalties imposed by the University are already in effect."

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The Cowboys drafted Murray in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft and he spent his first four NFL seasons with the team. He won the league rushing title in 2014, his final season in Dallas, while earning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Honor.

Two of Murray's three Pro Bowl selections came in his time with the Cowboys along with his lone All-Pro selection in 2014.

He then spent a year with the Philadelphia Eagles and two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Murray is Oklahoma's leader in all-time purpose yards and touchdowns.