Ex-Eagle Kevin Turner fighting for his life
Ex-Eagles fullback Kevin Turner has been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and is fighting for his life.
Ex-Eagle Kevin Turner fighting for his life
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Ex-Eagles fullback Kevin Turner has been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
Turner, 41, spent five seasons with the Birds from 1995-1999.
"The first doctor said she thought I had 12-15 years," Turner told the Montgomery Advertiser in his home state of Alabama. "Then I saw another doctor that said five or six. The third doctor said you have two or three years. Heck, I'm going to stop going to see doctors. I may not make it out alive next time."
A study last week linked ALS to athlete head injuries. According to The Boston Globe, Turner is the 14th former NFL player to be diagnosed with ALS since 1960, a rate eight times higher than the rest of the adult male population.
Per The Globe, Turner became addicted to pain killers and battled with depression and fits of rage after his playing days were over. He said one of the most difficult issues he deals with is deciding whether or not to let his sons - ages 7 and 12 - play football.
"The father in me wants to say, 'Don’t play,' but it’s a hell of a game. It helps you with a 'keep going' attitude," Turner said.
He is now involved in research that links chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) to ALS, agreeing to donate his brain and spinal cord when he dies.
It's a heartbreaking story, and the pieces in The Boston Globe and Montgomery Advertiser are definitely worth your time.
Thanks to Sam over at Iggles Blog for the initial link via Twitter.
Earlier today, I detailed all 17 throws made by Kevin Kolb in Friday night's 22-9 loss against the Bengals.
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Comment removed.
Wilbon on PTI won't let his kids play football. The Chris Henry death opened the same eyes nationally that Andre Waters' death did here in Philly. 10 years playing college and pro football puts 50 years of wear and tear on your body.— dragoon6- I enjoyed watching him play with the Eagles in his day, they never used him right. Best of luck Kevin!— BCRock
- I have ALS in my family,it's a scary thing. I hope his doctors are wrong in thier estimates.— ericg610
Turner was great when he was on the Eagles. It is hard to believe that was over 10 years ago. Keep the faith, Kevin!- When is the NFL going to start supporting charities that their player might one day need. Like Spinal Cord Injury & Brain injury. Its a no brainer. (pun not intended)— Norm3
- nature
I'm sure this is devestating for him and his family. No father should go before his sons. @norm3 and dragoon6 - good point. When will the NFL take their heads out of the sand and 1) recognise and support the after-career injuries that these player have contracted, and 2) provide better equipment for these guys during their playing days. God rest Andre Waters and others that have passed because of this disease.
Best wishes to KT and family.- Bless KT and his family and the scientist trying to find solutions for head injuries. From my recliner, it sure looks like the athletes have evolved more quickly in terms of size and speed than the equipment has increased in protection. At some point I am afraid the NFL will be just trading dollars for deathmatches. I would rather watch a watered down game if I knew the athletes would go home healthy each game. More and more players wear less and less padding to make them play more efficiently. Roger Goodell, make maximum protection madatory!— pking222
- Comment removed.
- What a horrible tragedy for him....and especially his wife and children. I urge everybody to follow the links and read the two newspaper stories. It took awhile for my eyes to clear, and I was remembering when he played for us. I wonder what can be done in the realm of protective head-gear?Many years ago, someone by the name (I think!) of Richard Donzeis(spelling??) invented the "flack Jacket" for a QB with bruised ribs. Had air bladders in it, and was quite the remarkable item. He was a sensation for a couple of years and came up with a wide varity of protective gear. One was an "air bladder" helmet. But it was outlandishly large, and LOOKED ridiculous. BUT IT WORKED! I'm hoping that someone in the league can un-earth that stuff from back in the early to mid 1970's, and do some research into getting the concept worked on again.— TBear
- Good luck Kevin— bgwille
- vegas-linodriver....no father should go before his sons? I don't think. Sad story indeed. I don't let my boys play football. I just do not see the risk/reward. They are no wimps, do intense martial arts which also gives them the "keep going attitude"...without the long lasting negative effects.— JonKap
- ALS is such a horrible disease. I hope and pray that his doctors' diagnosis and estimates are wrong.
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