Yo Murphy

Sean LaChappelle and Donald Sellers may have had more explosive seasons, but nobody epitomises a Claymore wide receiver more than Yo Murphy. Yo spent three seasons in total in Scotland, and each year improved his game so that the guy with the funny name who turned up in 1996, left in 1999 as an NFL caliber wide receiver.

Yo (real name Llewellyan, which his sister couldn't pronounce so Yo stuck instead) graduated from the University of Idaho in 1991 but garnered little interest from NFL teams at the time. However the British Columbia Lions of the CFL came calling in 1992, and Yo would play 4 seasons in Vancouver, playing second fiddle to several other wide receivers during that time. (Preston would see Yo play for the Lions in 1995 versus the now defunct Shreveport Pirates and QB Billy Joe Tolliver not knowing that in 6 months time he'd be a Claymore).

Unable to attract the attention of NFL scouts in Canada, Yo en-listed in the World League draft in 1996 where the Claymores took him in the 3^rd round. Yo would make his mark on the opening drive on the first game of the 96 season, when he hauled in a 11-yard TD pass from Steve Matthews at White Hart Lane in a 24-21 win. However Yo would end playing second fiddle to Offensive MVP Sean LaChappelle all season (22 for 303yds 5TD's). That is until the World Bowl (see great Yo moments below) when LaChappelle went out with an injury early, and Yo saved the day, winning MVP honours with a spectacular display (7 for 163yds 3TD's).

Unable to latch onto an NFL team, Yo was back in 97 with the Claymores, Although the offense struggled all year, Yo was one of the few bright spots as he lead the league in receptions with 47 for 559 yards and 2TD's. The team finished 5-5 and was unable to repeat. However Yo's efforts in Europe in 97 landed him a spot of the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings later that year.

Entering the 1998 season, it appeared Yo would land a spot on the Vikings active roster. Then the Vikes went and drafted some kid called Randy Moss and poor Yo's NFL dream looked to be over when Minnesota released him in pre-season.

Yo the Buc returns a kickoff for a TD in the 1999 NFL pre-season

Yo came back to Scotland for the 99 season, once again hoping to impress NFL scouts. Not only did he come back a better faster player in 99, he also added a new dimension to his game - kickoff returner. Although Yo was once again playing second fiddle to Donald Sellers most of the season, he provided a more consistent target for standout QB Dameyune Craig. His 45 catches for 752 yards and 4TD's only tell half the story of a truly gutsy performance all year. Yo would lead the league in kick returns too (23 for 600 yards, 26.1 average and 1TD), but there would be no World Bowl as the Claymores finished 4-6. After the season, Amsterdam coach Al Luginbill would rave to us about the way Yo played in 99.

Yo and George Coghill inspect the Cheddar 1999 Season Preview after the game in Week 4, 1999

It didn't go un-noticed as the Tampa Bay Bucs signed Yo after the 99 NFLE season, and after a solid pre-season Yo would make the Bucs opening day roster as a kick returner. However injuries to some of the Bucs WR's increased his playing time on offense as the season progressed, highlighted by a 4 catch effort in a Sunday Night game in Detroit. But Yo's fate with Tampa was ultimately sealed when Trent Dilfer broke his collarbone in a week 12 win in Seattle. The Bucs did not want to put Dilfer on IR, and tried to sneak Yo through waivers back onto their practice squad. It didn't work as the Vikings decided to re-claim Yo as cover to their own injured kick returner. One day later Yo was returning punts and kicks on a Monday night game against … Tampa Bay. Sadly Yo didn't excel, and a costly fumble probably influenced the Vikings decision not to activate him again that season. Another Vikings injury at the start of the post-season, meant out-right release for Yo, but word was that the Vikings would try and re-sign him for next season. Hopefully Yo will get a better opportunity next season!

• World Bowl 96 - MVP what can you say? When Sean LaChappelle went out of the game with an injury, one wondered how the Claymores could keep up with the high scoring Galaxy. No problem. His 6-yard TD from QB Jim Ballard with 58 seconds left in the 1^st half were the Claymores first offensive points of the day and got them within 14-13. Then after a fumbled kickoff, he made a spectacular diving one-handed 16-yard TD catch that put the Claymores ahead to stay 19-14. It is without doubt one of the greatest catches in professional football history - any league. Then with the Galaxy mounting a 2^nd half comeback, he broke loose for a 71 yard TD catch for the winning touchdown. 7 catches - 163 yards and 3TD's. An unforgettable day in the sun!
• Week 6 vs. Amsterdam, 97 Season - Who can forget that miserable downpour against Amsterdam at Murrayfield that day? It was ugly weather for an ugly game, as the Admirals behind QB Jay Fiedler had scrapped their way to a 6-3 lead late in the 4^th quarter. Then with 1:46 left Claymores QB Dave Barr went deep and found Yo streaking down the middle of the sloppy field for a 50-yard TD that sealed a 10-6 win. It was Yo's only catch of the day and sent the small crowd, who had braved the rain, into delirium!
• Week 5 at Rhein, 99 Season - A 37-6 loss we'd sooner forget. But as the rest of the team seemed to have quit with the score 37-0 in the 4^th quarter, Yo grabs the ensuing kickoff and scampers 89 yards for a touchdown.
• Week 8 at Barcelona, 99 Season - The 42-35 loss to the Dragons was a heartbreaker like no other. Worse was that we had to go back and hang out among the Dragons players all night back in Sitges. But lo and behold who do we find back there but Yo, who was visiting his good friend Dragons and Vikings QB Todd Bouman. Having Yo there cheered us up somewhat. He claimed he had been kidnapped!
• Week 9 vs. Amsterdam, 99 Season - In a deflating 29-20 loss to the Admirals at Hampden, that eliminated the Claymores from World Bowl contention, Yo seemed to be the only player on offense that wanted to catch Dameyune Craig's passes that day. He never quit all day, despite some tough coverage from an aggressive Admirals secondary. His career high for catches (11) and yards (191) wasn't enough for a victory but his gutsy effort in his last ever home game was not forgotten.

Career Regular Season Statistics

Year

No

Yards

Avg

TD

1996

22*

303*

13.8

5

1997

47

559

11.9

2

1999

45

752

16.7

4

Totals

114

1614

14.2

11

* - Official stats will credit Yo with only 21 for 298, but this is wrong. George Coghill was credited with a 'phantom catch' for 5 yards in a week 4 loss to the Rhein Fire.

Career Post Season Statistics

Year

No

Yards

Avg

TD

World Bowl 96

7

163

23.3

3

To go back to the Cheddar Hall of Fame click here!

To go back to the main menu instead click here!