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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Heartbreaking story.— MD20202020- NIce thing there's an 18-game schedule planned for 2011.— 5280philly
- first of all, my sympathies to Kevin. The one thing I can't comprehend in this article is him supporting his sons playing football, knowing the connection between football and its unpleasant ramifications. I mean, condone their participation in an activity that exposes them to nasty consequences that is far greater than what is considered "normal"?? i don't get it.— displaced_philly
- Prayers for Turner. Football from 2010 to 2030 will follow the same trajectory as boxing from 1975 to 1995. I work in sports with college coaches, pro coaches, former NFL personnel and many of them are discouraging their kids from playing football. If they are, what do you think mainstream America is thinking?— jtj06
- Horrible news, Kevin was a 1st class guy during his time here. Great story on the Bryant Gumbel HBO show discussing the amount of football players suffering with this death sentence disease. God bless. KING~out— thee~KING
- sounds like he is first class guy, the quote I am gonna quite seeing doctors made me smile but the story sure doesn't....the NFL isn't going to change things when the business model works financially. Really who loses....players and owners get rich, fans get entertained, and oh yeah, men become disabled way too early and in worst cases kids lose their dads way too young. Maybe the union can start looking out for the health of the players instead of the health of their pocketbook. Don't hold your breath, how long did it take for the testing of steroids and hgh.— pking222
- Guys, do I recall correctly a one-handed grab by Turner at the goal line of a pass by Bobby Hoying? Or did I just dream it?— rad205
- Guys, do I recall correctly a one-handed grab by Turner at the goal line of a pass by Bobby Hoying? Or did I just dream it?— rad205
- Guys, do I recall correctly a one-handed grab by Turner at the goal line of a pass by Bobby Hoying? Or did I just dream it?— rad205
- Good luck to Kevin Turner. Keep up the good fight.— paolibulldog
kevin was a tough player! best of luck. terrible news...— tfcino1
Oops! I stand corrected by @journalism-is-dead and @JonKap. Meant "...no son should go before his father..." Thanks gentlemen.- @JTJ--Your point is so right. Much as I have enjoyed watching boxing and football for decades, , I hope that the day will come when we have no professional contact sports at all. The NFL's 100% disability rate cries out for major change. The game was on the ropes once before and Theodore Roosevelt helped save it. In retrospect, he made a big mistake.— Delaware Jim
- This is a tragic story. I wish Kevin and his family Peace during their ordeal. His sense of humor hints at the great man his is; facing this death sentence with class. God Bless the Turners.— BillyBob369
- Did they link ALS to head injuries? I thought they found that repeated head injuries in athletes led to proteins entering the spinal cord which led to ALS-like symptoms. In fact, the news out of this study was the Lou Gerhig probably did not have ALS at all.— bobcitydoc
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