KEARNEY, Neb. — When George Murdoch went to Cunningham’s Journal in downtown Kearney Wednesday night, he thought he was just having beers with some former UNK football teammates.

Instead, there was a big crowd for the big man with a giant presence in popular culture.

“It was a great surprise. Nobody told me," Murdoch said. "My kids kept the secret from me, which is shocking and I’ll deal with them later.”

The surprises kept coming for Murdoch, who now goes by Tyrus in his professional work. He’s a co-host on Gutfeld!, the late night show on Fox News, he’s the National Wrestling Association Worlds Heavyweight Champion, a standup comedian and author. Now, he’s the namesake behind a new day in Kearney.

“Tomorrow is Tyrus Comedy Day in Kearney, Nebraska," Mayor Stan Clouse said. "It’s signed by all of our council.”

The mayor gave him a key to the city and UNK’s athletic director gave him a Loper helmet. The scene was a far cry from his exit from Kearney 25 years ago.

“I’m excited to be back," Murdoch said. "I have not been back here since I couldn’t afford my gown to graduate.”

The dire straits of Murdoch’s departure came after having his car repossessed, being evicted from his apartment and going through a breakup. Walking at graduation wasn’t going to happen.

UNK officials presented him with his diploma on Wednesday. Murdoch shared the moment with two of his daughters, Georgie and Na’ree.

“I always talk to my kids about it, about you can chase your dreams but you gotta have a ground game. You gotta have something for boots on the ground. You gotta have a trade, in my case it was teaching," Murdoch said. "To physically be able to show my kids what I’ve been talking about their whole life today was special.”

Murdoch grew up in foster care in Los Angeles. He didn’t have family in the stands taking photos.

“I couldn’t show my kids pictures of my college and stuff. Today was the day I got to show them where I learned how to be a man, how to become successful," Murdoch said. "That’s the biggest thanks I could possibly — so any of this stuff is just icing on the cake.”

After his unceremonious exit from Kearney, Murdoch played arena football, worked as a bodyguard for Snoop Dogg and rose up the pro wrestling ranks to make it on WWE.

He gives credit to his alma mater and the community for his rise.

“I loved Kearney," Murdoch said. "Kearney gave me a chance to go from ghetto to being something special and I was able to do that. I’m very proud to be here tonight.”

The full-circle trip back to Buffalo County finished with a sold-out show at The World Theatre.