Turner's defining moment comes in Tampa Bay, when he returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown -- the first regular-season punt return for a TD in Buccaneer history. And one day, sitting in his dorm room with his head hung low, Turner looked up at the television. Update: October 13, 1:45 p.m. The family has temporarily given the skull to the Smithsonian Institution, which will conduct a DNA test to determine if it is, in fact, Turner's. He ended up writing a letter to his younger self for the Players Tribune, recounting significant moments in his life that set him on a rollercoaster course to the NFL. According to Bruce Turner, if theres even a remote possibility that it belonged to Nat Turner, there are three possible spots for burial, the most logical being a small, unmarked and overgrown plot in Courtland where the bodies of executed rebels were interred in a mass grave, and where archaeologists conducting a preliminary dig discovered human remains in 2016. With a special interest in severe weather preparedness, Vernon knows a thing or two about the importance of being a calm voice within the storm. Phootgraph by Rebecca Hale and Mark Thiessen, National Geographic, Photograph by Jed Winer, National Geographic, Illustration by ullstein bild/ullstein bild/Getty, One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. I think these last two meets were big for him. He was taken to the county seat, then called Jerusalem (now Courtland), tried, convicted and hanged. The daily chores of caring for four young children as a pre-teen while his mother continued to struggle and his father was busy taking care of her routinely caused Vernon to arrive late to practice -- a problem that teammates, who didn't understand his situation, took issue with. These animals can sniff it out. He shaved his 40-yard dash time from 4.54 to 4.37 -- and NFL teams took notice. Vernon Turner (born January 6, 1967)[1] is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back, wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Europe League (NFLE) for eight seasons during the 1990s. He didn't quit, but he continued to struggle with his own self-esteem throughout his youth. He had four other people counting on him. All of these elements converge in David Grann's upcoming book, "The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder.". I will never, ever be able to pay back the Buffalo Bills for what they did for me, Turner confesses. But within the past couple decades theres been a noticeable shift. With no money to his name, Turner once again sought out Olivieri -- seeking help to try out for the NFL. I know I can be one of the best high jumpers in the world, Turner said. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Its incredible existence demands acknowledgment that, yes, this black life mattered.. While with Tampa in 1994, Turner made history -- becoming the first Bucs player to return a punt for a touchdownagainst one of his former teams, the Lions. Wouldnt surprise me if you saw 7-10 come out of him.. Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or jcarlson@oklahoman.com. When his flight touched down in NY, Olivieri was waiting at the airport. Its one thing to read your life story in a book, he says, but when they reincarnate that into a movie with real people playing parts and portraying you, its surreal., Turner retired from football two decades ago, after six years in the NFL as a receiver and running back, and a short stint in NFL Europe. [7] That year, Turner ran for 869 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also returned 10 kickoffs for 263 yards, including one for 73 yards. I have two brothers and two sisters, he says. After a three-year stint in NFL Europe, Turner retired in 1998. Turner broke the news to his siblings and they cried not because he had realized his goal of becoming a professional football player, but because they knew they were going to be taken care of and able to stay together. "Coach stepped in and helped me," said Turner. The administrators family had kept it in a closet for decades. Two years ago, the Players Tribune approached Turner and asked him if hed like to write something for their media platform. "I know you're frustrated. Aguirre and Wood, the guests of honor at the ceremony, shed tears of joy when they were handed what they believe are their ancestors remains. He has not worked directly with this skull but has long and distinguished experience with historical human remains. But 6'6 not bad at all you kidding me! Sam, his stepfather, had passed away due to health complications -- leaving four young children behind while Vernon was all the way in Tennessee. "He'd take me to school everyday and pick me up until I got my high school diploma.". Mini Bio (1) * Vernon M. Turner was born January 6th 1967, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. People were talking about what Turner might do as a Sooner and maybe one day as an Olympian. He subsequently joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad and played in one regular season game. But thanks to extraordinary circumstances a family seeking truth and science that can reach beyond the grave an ongoing forensic analysis may finally provide an answer. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? Another contemporary source remembered his headless body being buried. I dont know what it is, Turner said. Only two men in the world this indoor season have gone so high. The NFL draft came and went, but Vernon's name was never called. ", "People ask me how'd you do it?" Nevertheless, he told Olivieri his intentions, and his coach went to work for him -- spending countless hours creating highlight tapes and petitioning schools with letters and phone calls. I had that moment. All rights reserved (About Us). In 1995, Turner split time with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. Though offers were scarce, Turner found himself playing running back at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee, where he'd only go on to guide the football team to three NAIA championships, garnering first-team all-conference honors along the way. Then all of a sudden, Turner remembered, he had all the money.. (Turner plans to visit Staten Island on May 13-14 and June 25 for book signings. Covids return this winter, which caused Turner to miss multiple stretches of practice. The ethnographic museum of the past is making its way to the exit.. Vernon I need you to stop explaining to some of these.. But there were a few players on his teamwho were getting workouts from scouts. For that alone, not to mention all the great coaches and great players that I was blessed to be around, they provided me with an opportunity to take care of my family.. Those goals are clear. Even outside of track, I feel like it taught me things about myself, he said. He decided to transfer and landed at Arkansas. I like a tall man! The skull has been in the museums custody for more than 4 years. But Shatsky called Turner and told him not to unpack, because he was heading to Buffalo to be on their practice squad instead. The 42-year-old mother of eight died . Bob Franklin made many attempts to find a fitting home for the heirloom, including offering it to the Smithsonian Institution. The sources disagree on the fate of Turners corpse from the neck down. "I'm so blessed and grateful just to be on this Earth and be able to pay it forwardI'm not worthy of this," said Turner. Regardless of the skulls ultimate identity and resting place, many feel that the attention it is receiving signals a larger shift in perceptions about the importance of the rebellion to American identity. I convinced [my aunt] to stick around a little longer and I started doing things like cutting hair on the side to make some extra money. His skull and brain were then sent away for study. He was released by the Bills before the start of the next season, and went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But once I decided to turn pro and I knew what the odds were against me making it, I went into training mode.. Turner acknowledges the past year has been tough. But it is of immeasurable value because it is a poignant reminder of the price of freedom. [3] In November 2011, Curtis High School inducted him into its Hall of Fame. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs. [6] He scored his first six points on an 80-yards run in the game's first play from scrimmage. All rights reserved. Then he transferred to Arkansas. He concluded his career with the Frankfurt Galaxy and Scottish Claymores in NFLE. He owned an office furniture installation business in North Carolina, moved into the tire manufacturing business,[2] and currently works in the oil refining industry in Houston, Texas. Deetz cited a description of Turner that a Southampton resident created while authorities were trying to capture him in 1831; it said he had a scar on one of his temples produced by the kick of a mule. The skull at the National Museum of Natural History possibly shows signs of this injury. A dropped touchdown and fumbled punt return doomed VT's chances, and he was subsequently informed of his release on the final day of cuts. A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. "He took an interest in my family. Turner, who has a year of eligibility remaining after this season, wants to break the 33-year-old NCAA record of 2.38 meters (7-9), set by Hollis Conway of Louisiana-Lafayette. Vernon Turner was a topic of conversation when he was gone last year, but if all goes as planned, he'll again be creating a buzz for what he does when he jumps. ", Most of all, Turner wants to represent his three children - Ashley (30), Darris (29), and Liam (5) - the "right way. That night, he unveiled what would be the museums centerpiece: the skull of Nat Turner. The Turner family will provide genealogical information as well as DNA samples in hopes that the skull matches their genetic profile. Vernon Turner hasnt always called North Carolina home, though. [8] The New York native finished his collegiate career ranked second in school history with 569 rushing attempts, and fourth with 2,851 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.[5]. I dont know necessarily how its going to be once I really get back into it, but it doesnt feel normal yet.. The final segment (The Fourth Quarter) enthusiastically records Turner's roller-coaster ride through the NFL. "You're frustrated because you've been a parent to your younger brothers and sisters since you were a little kid yourselfcooking dinner, changing diapers, braiding hair -- things a mom is supposed to dobut she's always too "sick," wrote Turner in his letter. Turner played college football for CarsonNewman College, and then professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Turner was severely undersized, but he. Discovering whether part of him still physically exists will illuminate a formative era in American history and help an expansive family find closure in an honored memorial. read vernon turner's ou bio Those are good, but might not be good enough to get a spot on Team USA. "The rule was if you were late you don't play, but the coaches played me anyway," explained Turner. Multiple sources say his head was separated from the rest of his body, which was skinned. One of his patients was the daughter of a physician who was present when Turners body was cut up. Reich, a geneticist, is a controversial figure among some scholars for assertions he has made about genetic variations between different races. County lore has it that at least one decapitated head was placed there on a pole as a warning of insurrections consequences. Her first nonfiction book, "Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League" is available now. The nagging ankle injury that still hurts from time to time. Those familiar with the intensely-driven, competitive young man understand the passion and sincerity he displayed while helping raise four younger siblings and making sure that his family's physical needs were met. Obviously if we are able to determine that it is the skull of our ancestor that would be tremendously important on a spiritual and emotional level for the family.. Try a week on us. The nine formally dressed guests joined hands while standing around a table holding only a white box. Vernon regularly visits schools to talk to kids about severe weather safety and preparedness. Today, this is all that remains. He is writing a book on places of historic value that have been forgotten and are being reclaimed by nature. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Michael Blakey is director of William & Marys Institute for Historical Biology. And I don't think Vernon's height is really not the issue with some viewer's but I'm going to refrain from saying what I think it is! (Matt McClain . Langley recruited Turner out of Yukon and stayed with the program even after a head-coaching change, which helped persuade Turner to return to Norman. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. When Turner reached high school, he faced more challenges. The vast majority do not survive 24 hours. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Ascent of the price of freedom leagues and clubs is a poignant reminder the! At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Turner split time with the Frankfurt Galaxy and Claymores. His flight touched down in NY, Olivieri was waiting at the airport, a geneticist, is poignant... 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