Eddie Murphy threw a David Spade-style shot at a "Saturday Night Live" alum way back in 1981 ... making his decades-long grudge against SNL puzzling.
We found this clip of Murphy on Weekend Update during Season 6 ... talking about his fear the military draft would return -- and then offering up the perfect draft candidate -- Garrett Morris.
Eddie then held up Morris' head shot and added, "I know he's a little over age, but word has it he's got a lot of free time right now."
Interesting ... given Murphy's legendary grudge years later over a "Hollywood Minute" segment featuring David Spade, who quipped, "Look children, a falling star" ... while showing Eddie's pic.
