Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mark Murphy (American football executive)

How Mark Murphy (American football executive) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mark Murphy is an American football executive and former player. He currently serves as the president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers. Before his executive career, Murphy played safety in the NFL for eight seasons with the Washington Redskins (1977-1984). He won Super Bowl XVII with the team and played in Super Bowl XVIII. In 1983, he led the NFL in interceptions, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Murphy played college football at Colgate University and was undrafted before signing with the Redskins.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1977: Undrafted and Signed by the Washington Redskins

In 1977, Mark Murphy went undrafted in the NFL draft after playing college football at Colgate University, but was then signed by the Washington Redskins as a safety.

1977: Signed with the Washington Redskins

In 1977, after going undrafted in the NFL draft, Mark Murphy signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent.

1979: Beginning of Run as Starting Safety

From 1979, Mark Murphy started a run of four straight seasons where he started every game as the Redskins' starting safety.

1982: Won Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins

In 1982, Mark Murphy was co-captain of the Washington Redskins team that won Super Bowl XVII during the strike-shortened NFL season, recording a critical interception.

1983: Murphy's Defensive Stats Recorded

From 1979 to 1983, Mark Murphy recorded 27 interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble during the regular season.

1983: Murphy leads the NFL in Interceptions

In 1983, Mark Murphy led the NFL in interceptions, earning his sole Pro Bowl and All-Pro honor that season with the Washington Redskins.

1983: Completion of MBA While Playing in the NFL

In 1983, while playing full-time in the NFL, Mark Murphy completed his Master of Business Administration from American University.

1983: Led NFL in Interceptions

In the 1983 NFL season, Mark Murphy led the NFL in interceptions with nine, and the Redskins played in their second consecutive Super Bowl.

1984: Murphy's Final Season and Retirement

In 1984, Mark Murphy played his final season in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, missing nine games due to a knee injury before retiring.

1984: Retirement from NFL and pursuit of MBA

In 1984, Mark Murphy retired from the NFL and pursued a Master of Business Administration from American University near the end of his career.

1985: Hired by the NFLPA

In 1985, after retiring from the NFL, Mark Murphy was hired by the NFLPA as an assistant executive director.

1986: Promoted to Vice President of the NFLPA

By 1986, Mark Murphy had been promoted to vice president of the NFLPA.

1988: Murphy Earns Juris Doctor Degree

In 1988, Mark Murphy earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University after his playing career.

1988: Received Juris Doctor Degree from Georgetown University

In 1988, Mark Murphy received his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University.

1988: Worked for Street Law Clinic

In 1988, Mark Murphy worked for the Street Law Clinic, where he received an award for developing a program educating inmates on the law.

1989: Hired as Trial Attorney for Department of Justice

In 1989, Mark Murphy was hired as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice.

1992: Returned to Colgate as Athletic Director

In 1992, Mark Murphy returned to his alma mater, Colgate, to serve as the university's athletic director.

1992: Hired as Athletic Director at Colgate University

In 1992, Mark Murphy was hired as the athletic director of his alma mater, Colgate University.

1992: End of Tenure as Trial Attorney for Department of Justice

In 1992, Mark Murphy's tenure as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice came to an end.

1994: Selected to Commissioner's Player Advisory Committee

In 1994, Mark Murphy was selected to serve on the Commissioner's Player Advisory Committee.

2002: Selected to NFL Youth Football Committee

In 2002, Mark Murphy was selected to serve on the NFL Youth Football Committee.

2003: Became Athletic Director for Northwestern University

In 2003, Mark Murphy left Colgate to take a position as the athletic director for Northwestern University.

2003: Left Colgate for Northwestern

In 2003, Mark Murphy left Colgate to take a position as the athletic director for Northwestern University.

2003: Moves to Northwestern University as Athletic Director

In 2003, Mark Murphy moved to Northwestern University to serve as their athletic director.

December 3, 2007: Packers Announce Mark Murphy as Next President

On December 3, 2007, the Green Bay Packers announced Mark Murphy as the organization's next president.

December 2007: Announced as President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers

In December 2007, Mark Murphy was announced as the next president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, succeeding John Jones as president and Bob Harlan as CEO.

2007: End of Tenure as Athletic Director at Northwestern University

In 2007, Mark Murphy's tenure as the athletic director at Northwestern University came to an end.

2007: End of Tenure at Northwestern University

In 2007, the student-athletes at Northwestern University had the best graduation success rate in the country. It was Mark Murphy's last year in charge of the program.

January 2008: Murphy Begins Tenure with Packers

In January 2008, Mark Murphy officially began his tenure as president of the Green Bay Packers.

July 2008: Murphy and Favre Discuss Marketing Agreement

In July 2008, Mark Murphy met with Brett Favre to discuss a $20 million marketing agreement where Favre would work with the Packers but not as a player.

2008: Favre Traded

In 2008, Mark Murphy traded star quarterback Brett Favre. This mirrors his trade of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets in 2023.

2009: Beginning of Eight Straight Playoff Berths

The 2009 NFL season marked the beginning of a string of eight straight playoff berths for the Packers during Mark Murphy's tenure.

2009: Start of Eight Straight Playoff Seasons for Packers

The 2009 NFL season marked the beginning of eight straight playoff appearances for the Green Bay Packers during Mark Murphy's time as president and CEO.

July 2011: End of NFL Lockout

In July 2011, the NFL lockout ended when a new collective bargaining agreement was reached, with Mark Murphy on the NFL's bargaining committee.

2011: Stock Offering for Lambeau Field Expansion Began

In 2011, Mark Murphy advocated for another stock offering to fund a $143 million expansion of Lambeau Field, which would add over 6,700 additional seats, better audio/video equipment and new entrance gates.

2011: Oversaw Stock Sales for Lambeau Field Renovations

In 2011, Mark Murphy oversaw a stock sale to fund renovations of Lambeau Field.

2011: Packers Win Super Bowl XLV

In 2011, during Mark Murphy's tenure, the Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl XLV.

2012: NFL Referee Lockout

In 2012, Mark Murphy and the other NFL team owners failed to come to an agreement with the NFL referees, leading to the 2012 NFL referee lockout.

2012: Stock Offering Continued

In 2012, the stock offering which was authorized in 2011 continued.

2013: Lambeau Field Renovation Completed

In 2013, the Lambeau Field renovation, funded by stock sales, was completed, which added over 6,700 additional seats, better audio/video equipment, and new entrance gates.

August 2015: Titletown District Plans Announced

In August 2015, Mark Murphy and the Green Bay Packers announced plans for a new Titletown District adjacent to Lambeau Field.

2016: End of Eight Straight Playoff Seasons for Packers

In 2016, the Green Bay Packers' streak of eight straight playoff appearances, which began in 2009, came to an end during Mark Murphy's tenure as president and CEO.

2017: Packers' Playoff Streak Ends

In 2017, the Green Bay Packers' consecutive playoff appearance streak came to an end, marking a significant turning point for the team.

2017: Titletown District Opened

In 2017, the Titletown District, a mixed-use development adjacent to Lambeau Field, opened.

2018: Firing of Mike McCarthy and Hiring of Matt LaFleur

In 2018, after a series of losses, Mark Murphy fired head coach Mike McCarthy and appointed Joe Philbin as interim coach. Following the season, he hired Matt LaFleur as the Packers' new head coach. Ted Thompson resigned as general manager, and Brian Gutekunst was promoted to the position. Murphy also changed the reporting structure, with the head coach, general manager, and executive vice president all reporting directly to him.

2020: Drafting of Jordan Love

In 2020, the Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the NFL draft, creating uncertainty about Aaron Rodgers' future with the team.

2021: Rodgers Contemplates Leaving

After the 2021 season, Aaron Rodgers again contemplated leaving the Packers, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.

2021: Oversaw Stock Sales for Lambeau Field Renovations

In 2021, Mark Murphy oversaw a stock sale to fund renovations of Lambeau Field.

March 2022: Rodgers' Contract Extension

In March 2022, Mark Murphy signed Aaron Rodgers to a contract extension, committing to him as the starting quarterback. However, the Packers had a poor 2022 season.

July 2022: Murphy Announces Retirement Date

In July 2022, Mark Murphy announced that he would retire on July 13, 2025, which is his 70th birthday.

2022: Announced Intention to Retire in 2025

In 2022, Mark Murphy announced his intention to retire in 2025 when he turns 70 years old, with the Packers selecting Ed Policy as his successor.

May 2023: Packers to Host 2025 NFL Draft

In May 2023, Mark Murphy announced that the Packers would host the 2025 NFL Draft for the first time. This event is expected to take place shortly before his retirement.

2023: Purchase of Maxwelton Braes Golf Course

In 2023, Mark Murphy and his wife purchased the Maxwelton Braes Golf Course in Door County, Wisconsin, with the intention of preserving it from housing development.

2023: Rodgers Traded to the Jets

In 2023, Mark Murphy traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, similar to his decision with Brett Favre in 2008, and supported Jordan Love as the Packers' new starting quarterback.