The football world is mourning the loss of a former NFL quarterback and college standout.
Michael Proctor, who briefly played for the New England Patriots and became a legend at Murray State, has died at the age of 58.
Murray State Athletics shared the heartbreaking news on February 12, honoring Proctor as both a Hall of Famer and a Stable of Honor inductee.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Murray State Athletics Hall of Famer and Stable of Honor inductee, Michael Proctor,” the school said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Proctor family and all of his teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Known as “The General” during his time with the Racers in the late 1980s, Proctor was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in school history. He earned All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors in 1988 and 1989 and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 1989.
By the time he left Murray State, Proctor had thrown for a then-school record 8,632 passing yards and racked up 9,886 total career yards. His dual-threat ability made him a fan favorite, combining a strong arm with the mobility to extend plays.
Although he went undrafted in the 1990 NFL Draft, Proctor signed with the New England Patriots shortly afterward. His time in New England was brief, and he was released before the start of the regular season during what would become the Patriots’ infamous 1-15 campaign.
Proctor continued his professional career with the Montreal Machine in the World League of American Football, where he started during the 1991 season. He later signed with the Cleveland Browns but was released again before the regular season.
His career continued in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League, where he found success before retiring in 1996 with the Charlotte Rage. During his arena career, Proctor threw for more than 3,400 yards and 51 touchdowns, adding 12 rushing scores.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Murray State Athletic Hall of Fame. His legacy at the school remains strong — he is one of only four Murray State alumni to have his jersey number retired. Proctor later returned to school to complete his Master’s degree in business administration.