Jim Murray, a West Philadelphia native who went from Eagles public relations staffer to building the franchise’s first Super Bowl team as general manager and co-founder of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, has died. He was 87.
Murray, a West Philadelphia Catholic High School and Villanova University graduate, joined the Eagles in 1969 as a member of the team’s public relations team.
Five years later, in 1974, Murray was promoted to GM, a position he held until 1982. During his time as general manager, Murray hired Dick Vermeil, extended an invitation for a private workout to Vince Papale and built the Eagles team that faced the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV, the franchise’s first appearance in the big game.
Murray co-founded the Ronald McDonald House Charities and opened the first house on Spruce Street in Philadelphia in 1974.
Longtime SportsRadio 94WIP host Rob Ellis called Murray “Uncle Jim” because he was his godfather
“The best way I would describe him is selfless,” Ellis said. “He was someone who dedicated his entire life to service and helping others. When a lot people say they do that and then kind of give you the ‘Yeah, yeah, whatever you need.’ And then you never hear back from them. That wasn’t him. ”
Ellis’ father and Murray grew up together on Brooklyn Street in West Philadelphia. They were best friends. According to Ellis, even though they weren’t blood relatives, Murray treated him like family.
Ellis recounted stories of being able to attend Eagles’ Saturday walkthroughs the day before games.
Or the time Murray, a Villanova alumnus, got tickets for Ellis and his father to attend Villanova’s NCAA championship game against Georgetown in 1985.
“He’d go to a Super Bowl with no tickets, I’ll figure it out,” Ellis said. “Next thing you know, he’s got four tickets from Al Davis. That is who Jim Murray was. He could work a room like nobody you’d ever seen.”
Laura Van Tassell, the director of development for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Philadelphia, said Murray had a profound impact on her.
“He was one of the most generous men, with the most gracious heart that I ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Van Tassell said.
Ellis said he was inundated with messages from people who had been touched by Murray’s kindness, including a Black woman who was going to eat alone at a restaurant until Murray convinced her to join him and his wife.
“It didn’t matter if you were a stranger, it didn’t matter race, socioeconomic, it didn’t matter,” Ellis said. “He cared about people on a level that was just different and he didn’t want anybody to feel like they were alone.”
