A Memory of Kevin Turner

Fullbacks rarely have moments to shine. If one is lucky, they have a signature play to be remembered by.

Think back to 1994. It’s week 11, a home game against the Minnesota Vikings. QB Drew Bledsoe’s coming out party. After falling behind 20-0, Bledsoe rallied the Pats in the second half to tie the game at 20 before leading an overtime drive that ended with a 14-yard game-winning touchdown.

Remember who was on the receiving end of that pass?

The player was Kevin Turner. He released from the backfield on a play action fake and caught the touch pass in the back corner of the endzone, just landing inbounds.

Known better for his hands than his blocking, Turner had a good eight year career. The former 1992 third round pick out of Alabama played three years for the Patriots before parlaying his 52-catch 741-yard 1994 season into a lucrative contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Turner played more years with Philly, but he will be remembered for that one play over his five years with the Eagles. Hopefully Patriot fans remember Turner for that touchdown catch because it was recently revealed that he has ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Lou Gehrig’s disease is a terminal neurodegenerative condition. Slowly Turner loses the ability to control his body. The life expectancy of someone diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease is 3-5 years.

Turner doesn’t have much time left until he’s likely paralyzed, bedridden, and breathing through a ventilator. He will leave behind two boys and a daughter. Turner is just 41 years old.

Turner is the 14^th NFL player diagnosed with ALS. But for Patriots fans, he’s more than that. He’s the catapult that launched Bledsoe to stardom as Bledsoe led the Patriots to seven straight wins and a playoff appearance in ’94.

Bledsoe would had achieved stardom even if Turner didn’t make that catch. But being on the receiving end of that pass, Turner got the spotlight on Bledsoe. Say a prayer for Kevin Turner and don’t forget him.

For more information on ALS, go to http://www.alsa.org/.

Question? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.