O.J. Murdock of Titans dies from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

Tennessee Titans wide receiver O.J. Murdock died from what appear to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to Tampa, Fla., police.

Murdock was found Monday in his car, which was parked outside Middleton High School, his alma mater. The 25-year-old was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock’s death this morning,� the Titans said in a statement. “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.�

Murdock had yet to play a down for the Titans after making the team as an undrafted signee in 2011. After hurting his right Achilles early in training camp last year, he spent the season on injured reserve.

He did not report to Titans camp this weekend because of what the team called a personal issue.

Murdock was ranked as a top 10 receiver in the 2005 recruiting class during his senior year at Middleton. He redshirted his first year at South Carolina, then made just one catch in four games the following season before being suspended following a shoplifting arrest.

He transferred to Pearl River Community College in Mississsippi, then to Division II Fort Hays State in Kansas, where he had 60 catches for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdown his season season. He was invited to the NFL scouting combine but was passed over on draft day.

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