Caption:18 Oct 1998: Fullback Kevin Turner #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the game against the San Diego Chargers at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
Former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles fullback Kevin Turner died Thursday morning in Alabama following a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 46.
Turner was a third-round pick of the Patriots out of the University of Alabama back in 1992. He had been battling ALS since his initial diagnosis back in 2010.
After he was diagnosed, Turner himself pointed to his NFL career, specifically to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
“I love football, always have, always will. I know that all these hits to the head have contributed to my diagnosis. I just know it,” Turner said in 2012, via AL.com. “”But it could have been avoided, I believe, by just being smarter about it,” he said. “When you have had a concussion or you are seeing stars and hearing ringing in your head, you’ve got to report it to the trainers or the medical staff, and you need to take a break.”
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Turner was a co-lead plaintiff in the concussion suit former players filed against the NFL. He also discussed the link between brain trauma and ALS through the Kevin Turner Foundation before his death.
Like many former football players, Turner had agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord for further research after his death.
Turner’s father, Raymond, posted this to Facebook shortly following his son’s death:
“Just wanted to tell everyone, Myra and I lost a great son today. He will be missed so much, Thank everyone so very much over this journey we have had for all your support, prayers. He was ready to go to Heaven, excited he said. Love y’all, and thanks God Bless.”
Turner is survived by his wife, Allison, and three children.
18 Oct 1998: Fullback Kevin Turner #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the game against the San Diego Chargers at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Eagles 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
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