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Last season, Murray was an East Division all-star and the Redblacks’ nominee for the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player – with 55 defensive tackles and five interceptions. Out of Kent State, he spent time with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals from 2009-11. He’s excited his career has brought him back to Hamilton.

“(Being with the Tiger-Cats), it was an amazing experience for me,” said Murray. “(In free agency), there were a few other teams (interested in me). But it got to a point, it was just like, ‘Do I want to wait until the end or do I want to give myself a chance to have a say where I go.’ I felt like Hamilton presented the best option for myself. I would love to see Hamilton win a Grey Cup, the city deserves it.

“When I was in Hamilton, it gave me the experience I needed to be able to play in this league. My first year, I was just learning the game, I was learning the rules – it was a culture shock for me. Now, I find myself informing younger players of the difference in rules and certain situations you may be in.

There’s also the geography factor. Hamilton is much closer to his three kids – Legend, Honor and Valor – back in Ohio.

First things first, though. Murray knows the 2018 off-season is different than others as the players association tries to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement with the league.

“We have to get this CBA thing worked out,” said Murray. “It seems like everybody’s trying to act as if life is going on. But we can’t have a season if we don’t get this thing worked out. Until then, I’m going to make sure my body’s ready for the season. I’m going to come back and try to be the best DB in the league again.”