NHL Player Reveals Heartfelt Text Conversation with Grayson Murray Just Before Tragic Loss

NHL Star Shares Convo Had With Grayson Murray Weeks Before His Death

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A peer of Grayson Murray from the world of professional sports shared a positive conversation he had with the late golfer weeks before his passing. At a celebration of life ceremony for Murray on Monday, June 3, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin talked about his friendship with Murray.

A couple of weeks ago, I was texting with Grayson," shared Slavin, 30, at Providence Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Despite being down 3-0 in a series against the Rangers during the playoffs, Grayson remained fired up and full of belief in their team.

During this time, Murray, a Raleigh native and avid Hurricanes fan, was experiencing great success on the golf course.

Slavin shared that the golfer had recently achieved a top-10 finish in his tournament. During their conversation, the golfer mentioned that his focus for the week was on humility. When Slavin brought up Jesus as an example of humility, the golfer responded by saying, "Bro, Jesus is everything. He's eternity."

Continuing their discussion, the golfer expressed his belief that life on Earth is like a pregame for the real party. He emphasized the importance of enjoying the time Jesus has given us here, while also recognizing that there is a purpose for each of us to impact people during our time on Earth.

Before leading a group prayer, Slavin concluded his comments, saying, “Grayson had eternity and Jesus on his mind, and now he’s up there worshiping God.”

NHL Star Shares Convo Had With Grayson Murray Weeks Before His Death

Ted Kiegiel, Murray's longtime coach, shared heartfelt words about him during the eulogy. He highlighted Murray's triumph over alcoholism before his passing.

During the spring of '23 to the spring of '24, Grayson embraced sobriety," Kiegiel shared. "It was like a fog lifted from his eyes and he transformed into a whole new person, everything falling into place in his life."

Kiegiel added, "I can say with certainty that Grayson shone the brightest during those 12 months of sobriety."

Over the weekend, Murray was remembered by many of his peers competing in the PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open.

NHL Star Shares Convo Had With Grayson Murray Weeks Before His Death

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Golfer Akshay Bhatia honored Murray with a tattoo on his wrist during the tournament, calling Murray one of his “best buddies” on tour. 

Bhatia expressed his thoughts on the impact of the story before the tournament, stating, "I think his story and everything that’s happened has really opened everyone’s eyes. It just doesn’t happen that often." He also mentioned the overwhelming support received, saying, "The amount of appreciation and just uplifting energy from everyone across the world and on the PGA Tour has been great for his family."

Reflecting on the emotional response to the story, Bhatia added, "We’re grateful for that because sometimes you feel like no one really cares about you, but the fact that he’s touched this many people’s hearts, my heart, he’s made me just really open my eyes a little bit."

Editor's P/S:

The untimely passing of Grayson Murray left an undeniable mark on both the sports and golf communities. His unwavering spirit and belief in the power of humility, even amidst adversity, serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of embracing life's challenges with purpose. The outpouring of support from Murray's peers, including Jaccob Slavin and Akshay Bhatia, is a testament to the profound impact he had on those around him. Bhatia's decision to honor Murray with a tattoo signifies the lasting legacy he leaves behind, inspiring others to live with intention and seek solace in faith.

Murray's triumph over alcoholism is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. The transformative power of sobriety allowed him to rediscover his true potential, both on and off the course. It serves as a beacon of hope for those struggling with addiction, demonstrating that recovery is possible with the right support and unwavering belief. Murray's journey reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a path forward towards healing and redemption.