LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Lansing Eastern freshman Martell Murchison is known for bringing positive energy.
“I’m a funny person,” Murchison said. “I’m always keeping a smile on my face.”
Quakers varsity football coach Jordan Morgan said, “He’s just a big goofball. (He) puts in the work though when it’s needed, but he’s definitely a goofy kid. Always smiling.”
One day Murchison wasn’t smiling was the 4th of July back in 2020, when his life changed forever at 10 years old.
“I was outside by myself, being a kid, and had the wrong firework in my hand, lit it up and it blew up in my hand before it could release from my hand,” Murchison said.
It led to Murchison’s mom rushing him to the hospital that night and doctors having to amputate what was remaining from his left hand, and it ultimately forced him to miss three years of his favorite sport, football.
“I would just sit in my room and cry every day trying to get out on the field, but it just it took a it took a healing process,” said Murchison.
During that healing process, he was able to realize the path he wants to take in life. Largely thanks to his mom, grandma, and uncle.
“They want me to do better than what I did last,” Murchison said. I was all messed up and not doing alright. Didn’t have good grades, but that’s changed. I’m in 9th grade now. I gotta do better.”
“No disrespect, but I can’t be out here like these other people playing with guns and doing all that. Like, no, I’m trying to go to college. I don’t want to be out here doing all that gang-banging stuff.”
Another person who has helped the young wide receiver and running back realize his potential is Shaquem Griffin, who also played football without his left hand and was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
“I have a book about him. It’s kind of cool seeing somebody that seeing somebody that has the same thing as me, but just a different but just a different story,” Murchison said.
His Lansing Eastern High School story began last Wednesday when he scored three touchdowns in Quaker’s junior varsity game against Maple Valley. Then he played in a quarter of the Varsity team’s win over Wayne Memorial on Thursday.
Proving the freshman’s work ethic to play the game he loves is paying off.
It’s something that’s been in his life and that’s made him who he is, and just to see the resilience is amazing,” Morgan said.
Murchison says, “Losing the hand is big and then the fact that I’m still playing football with one hand, that’s something that I have accomplished and I’m proud of it.
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