Instagram/@chadmichaelmurray
Chad Michael Murray was ecstatic about overcoming a major family milestone when his son’s soccer team was declared the provincial champion. After an unbeaten season, the actor paid tribute to the son, coaches, and the team all at once, sharing how much his coaching experience had brought him closer to his son.
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On his social media, Chad Michael Murray mentioned that he was not just celebrating the victory of his son’s football team but also of his little champ as the whole team won two championships this season. In the long and very personal post, the ‘One Tree Hill’ actor nostalgic about the very momentous event of being a coach of his son’s team, the Destroyers, calling it “the thrill of a lifetime.”
The feeling of paternal pride was very much evident in Murray’s message as he alone praised the moments during the huddles and the action on the field when his son was growing up. He highlighted the special bond that had been built through sports and mainly that it was a privilege to be “in the huddle and look those kids in the eyes before they go to action.” The actor’s words allowed one to imagine a father who was absolutely involved in his child’s athletic journey and thus making memories that were surely beyond the normal parents watching from the sidelines experiences.
Murray’s post also referred to the team’s remarkable defensive achievement of conceding only 36 points for the whole ten games, and at the same time, he mentioned some of the coaching staff who supported their good work. Coach @henderson881022 was pointed out by Murray as the one who was leading “with grace” and exhibited “the tenacity a football coach needs yet a deep love for the kids.” He mentioned @jazzyskydancer as the defense coach who had “built the defense from scratch” and @shakywhite for the offensive line that “makes way for Sonic and Knuckles,” probably players with such nicknames who are the most important for the team’s scoring.
Murray also thought back on the team that “won more through defeat” and “grit to get up off the floor and get back to work” as he remarked how the team woke victoriously. He was in awe of the “effort the players put in and fought for all season,” calling it “indeed a team effort from the top down.” The actor concluded by recognizing parents as “the real heroes” and looking forward to “rolling it back next season.”
The heartfelt post attracted a lot of enthusiasm from the follower’s side as well as from the fellow parents who had faced similar situations. Brian Presley, actor, who was quick to comment, said, “That’s awesome Chad! Best times!” thus sharing the understanding of those times of youth sports as the most precious moments.
A different person emphasized the family aspect of the accomplishment saying, “And Lucas is officially a coach now” with heart emojis, thus suggesting that Murray’s son might have taken on some leadership responsibilities over and above his role as a player.
Murray’s post was in harmony with the football parents. A memory came back to someone, “My son was at that age (he is 20 now!) had 2 championships in one he was undefeated and no one could score on them! It’s a blast and goes way too fast!” This feeling is the same as to what most parents feel when their children are playing in youth sports—that these seasons are over in a blink.
The most poignant response may have come from a mother who revealed the personal nature of the bond many still have with Murray dating back to the ‘One Tree Hill’ era. She wrote, “My son is named Lucas and he is a 10-year-old badass lineman from Battle Creek, Michigan. You can bet that I took my inspiration for his name from the character played by Murray! #onetreehill.” This remark is an indication of how the character played by Murray continues to influence real lives even long after the show has ended.
The emotional impact of Murray’s words was not lost on the followers either. One of them confessed, “Crying into my pre-Thanksgiving meal prep in my kitchen reading this wasn’t on my bingo card,” with a crying face emoji accompanying the statement, demonstrating how raw and genuine Murray’s reflection resonated with people and how it reached beyond sports contexts.
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What impressed me most in the Murray’s post was not only the championship win, but also the genuine depiction of a father who was fully present in the life of his child, using sports as a means to deeper connection and valuable life lessons. Moreover, his well-detailed acknowledgments of fellow coaches not only reveal the extent of his appreciation for teamwork and mentorship but also his commitment to it beyond the spotlight of Hollywood. Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared a fun interaction with Murray, and his wife Sarah Roemer also celebrated him publicly.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
