Cowboys Sign Murray as Kicker

Eddie Murray, who is 43 years old and hasn’t been a kicker in the NFL since 1997, came out of retirement Thursday for his second stint with the Dallas Cowboys.

Murray has 17 seasons of NFL experience, including one with the Cowboys in 1993 when they won the Super Bowl.

The signing of Murray came two days after the Cowboys--6-6 and struggling to stay in playoff contention--waived third-year kicker Richie Cunningham, who was 12 for 22 on field goals after missing only nine of 72 attempts his first two seasons.

Earlier this year, Murray signed with the Detroit Lions for the sole purpose of retiring as a member of his original team. Murray played 12 seasons in Detroit (1980-91), followed by short stints at Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington and Minnesota.

“I said at my press conference in June when I retired that football was a roller-coaster ride and I decided to get off of it,” Murray said. “I’ve decided to get back on and we’ll see what happens.”

In his career, Murray has made 337 of 445 field goals (76 5/8) and 521 of 527 extra points for 1,532 points.

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The NFL will not fine Washington Redskin receiver Michael Westbrook for questioning the integrity of official Byron Boston. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue determined the remarks “were so completely farfetched that a fine would give them more significance than they deserve.” After a 33-17 loss in Detroit last Sunday, Westbrook implied that Boston, whose son David is a wide receiver for Arizona, made calls to help the Lions win and thus help his son’s team, which trails the NFC East-leading Redskins by a game. Westbrook called Boston “a 12th man on the field,” arguing that the official whistled the Redskins for two penalties that game footage didn’t substantiate. The Redskins had a season-high 14 penalties for 122 yards, and three other penalties were declined.

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