He was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the first round (14th overall pick) of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft, but turned down a six-figure signing bonus to attend the University of Michigan on a football scholarship.
[2] In Week 4 of the 1991 NFL season, he caught a game-winning touchdown pass from New England quarterback Hugh Millen in the final minute against the Houston Oilers.
[12] During the 1992 NFL season, McMurtry appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots, 15 as a starter, and caught 35 passes for 424 yards and one touchdown.
In 1993, McMurtry's final season with the Patriots, he appeared in 14 games, eight as a starter, and caught 22 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.
[2] McMurtry signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1994 but was released prior to the start of the regular season.