Byron Murphy II entered 2026 as a Super Bowl champion. The 23-year-old anchor of the “Dark Side” defense delivered two sacks and a fumble recovery as Seattle dominated the New England Patriots 29-13 on February 8, 2026, securing the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.
Now, just weeks into the offseason, the Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle has made headlines for something that has nothing to do with football.
Byron Murphy II’s Big Day with Maya Hurd
Byron Murphy II and Maya Hurdexchanged vows on March 14, 2026, in a heartfelt ceremony built on years of shared growth and quiet commitment. Their bond deepened through Murphy’s college years at the University of Texas. By the time the Seahawks selected him 16th overall in the 2024 draft, the couple was firmly building their future together.
On June 28, 2024, Murphy proposed to Maya on a beach in a moment that quickly spread across social media.
Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II Weds Maya Hurd with Lombardi Trophy in Tow
Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II Weds Maya Hurd with Lombardi Trophy in Tow (Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Their daughter, Danee’ Azaria,arrived on October 7, 2025, weighing just 2 pounds, 5 ounces, three months early. She spent ten weeks in the NICU as Murphy visited the hospital every day while still playing through the NFL season. Danee’ came home just before Christmas, and by February she was in San Francisco watching her father prepare for the Super Bowl.
On that biggest stage, Murphy finished the year with seven sacks before delivering his best performance, recording two sacks and recovering a fumble to help silence the Patriots’ offense completely.
Now wearing a Lombardi ring and a wedding band, Murphy steps into a new chapter as a husband, father, and champion. The Lombardi Trophy wasbrought to the reception, with teammates joining in the celebration.
The relationship survived public scrutiny in the summer of 2024, making the March 14 ceremony a moment fans had genuinely rooted for.
Fans React to Byron Murphy II
Online reaction was instant, mixing genuine joy with sharp humor as fans tied Murphy’s wedding to his remarkable year.
Dugarposted: “Byron Murphy II got married today. The Lombardi Trophy was a special guest.”
One personrecalled: “We didn’t forget the Tran story”
Anothershared: “Blueprint”
A third joked: “Now they can finally make love!”
A fourth wrote: “sb champ *“
Another fancongratulated: “Praise the Lord! I wish congratulations to this beautiful couple and pray that they have a great and long marriage!”
Murphy enters the 2026 season as a champion and a newlywed. The Seahawks carry a target on their backs as defending champions, with a stacked NFC West ready to challenge whether the “Dark Side” defense can repeat its dominance once more.