Kory Murphy

I can still hear my cleats hitting the tunnel floor or the laughter that followed our postgame chant of “Pop Machine,” knowing free sodas were waiting after a big win. Track meets were electric…especially running alongside talents like Lavon Pierce and Regina Warren. Being inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame brings those memories rushing back. It’s a true honor, and I’m deeply grateful, not just for this moment, but for the village that raised me and for the many who deserve this recognition as much as I do.

As a kid, watching local legends like Larue Birden and Walter Bailey, or seeing the 1988 Benson state championship team play at Civic Stadium, made me believe I could be next. Benson wasn’t just a school. It was a launching pad. I arrived with raw talent shaped in parks, on blacktops, and in neighborhood streets. But it was at Benson where I learned how to truly compete- with purpose, pride, and a team-first mindset. Football and track weren’t just sports; they were classrooms. My teammates became brothers, and my coaches pushed us to see more in ourselves than we often did.

Coach Leon McKenzie was one of the first to truly see me. As a sophomore, he pulled me aside after practice, put his arm around me, and said,“You can be good at this. Just keep working.” That moment lit a fire. His belief made me work harder and believe more in myself. He later introduced me to track and helped me see a path from Northeast Portland to the rest of the world. I also want to thank Coaches Bill Ranta, Bill Dressel, and John Mays. Each of you, in your own way, gave me a shot, pushed me, and poured into me. I’m sincerely grateful.

I’ll never forget our playoff game against McKay in 1990. They were bigger, stronger,  but not faster.  We were down 23 in the third quarter…on the road. But we didn’t fold. We dug in, leaned on each other, and fought back. I caught the game-winner from Caleb Borchers and we won by two. That wasn’t just a comeback; it was a lesson in trust, belief, and what’s possible when a team truly believes in each other.

Not every moment was glorious. We lost to Hillsboro in the quarterfinals, even after I had the biggest game of my high school career. And I still remember the disappointment of costing my team a state title in track my junior year when I tried to run on an injured leg. That mistake humbled me and reminded me of the line between grit and wisdom.

After Benson, I earned a scholarship to the University of Oregon, started at wide receiver, and was proud to play on the 1994–95 Rose Bowl team. But when an injury that year ended my playing career, I felt lost. The dream I’d chased since childhood was gone overnight. But football had prepared me. I leaned into what it taught me: how to get up after being knocked down, how to keep showing up, and how to lead and keep putting in work when no one’s watching. That injury closed a chapter, but it opened a door toward something deeper.

Since then, I’ve tried to carry those values into various parts of my life, personally and professionally. I’m grateful to have coached high school football, including at Benson, and helped launch a youth program at Jefferson that reached hundreds of kids. Today, I serve as a program officer at The Lemelson Foundation, helping inventors and entrepreneurs solve real-world problems. I also help coach the Parkrose Youth Football 5th and 6th grade team. I’m having a lot of fun these days!

Thank you to my mother, aunt and uncle, grandparents, and extended family for your strength, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in me. I am here because of your love. It truly takes a village.

Thank you, Jackie, my partner and teammate in life, for your support, your patience, and the joy we share. I’m proud to block, pass, and celebrate your touchdowns every day.

To my kids and the next generation: stay grounded, know your worth, and know the game is bigger than the scoreboard. It’s about what you build, who you lift, and how you lead.

To Coach Leon McKenzie: thank you for seeing me early, believing in me deeply, and setting the standard high. You’ve lifted up generations of Benson athletes with your truth, care, and example. I’m proud to be part of your legacy.

Thank you, Benson. Thank you, PIL. I’m honored to be part of this Hall of Fame, and even more proud to represent the community and family that raised me.  Peace, Kory.

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