what happened to vernon turner's head

If we are encouraged to face the truths of our past through certain events that capture peoples attention or imagination, if it pushes people to learn and understand history, that is a good thing., Ben lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. A CT. Turner also works as a personal trainer for aspiring young athletes and can be contacted at www.VernonTurner.com. He owned an office furniture installation business in North Carolina, moved into the tire manufacturing business, and currently works in the oil refining industry in Houston, Texas. But this last season (2021) at the Olympic Trials, those sit on my head. He heard through the grapevine VanHootgens days at OU might be limited VanHootgen eventually did step down but Turner ultimately opted to return to Norman because he wanted to work again with high jump coach Jerel Langley. (Photo courtesy of vernonturner.com). Bruce Turner said he learned more about it from reading history books in California than he did as a boy in Southampton. She is quick to point out that she does not speak for all of Turners descendants who, seven generations on, are numerous. "The Next Level" is filled with touching snapshots of Turner's formative years as he was transformed from a 98-pound freshman running back at Curtis to a productive NFL wide receiver/kick returner/running back for the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was cut late in training camp by his first team, the Denver Broncos, but was signed by the Buffalo Bills and made the practice squad. EXCLUSIVE: Undrafted punt returner Vernon Turner might have come into the NFL through modest auspices, but his inspiring life story will head to the screen backed by a high wattage group of produce Hes the oldest, and just a few years later, when Turner was a freshman in college, his dad died. What if we could clean them out? I still believed I was the best, even when I wasnt winning.. All rights reserved. Sam, VT's stepfather, was a Jets season ticket holder -- and Jackie made Vernon promise that he'd accept an invitation if asked to attend a game, which he reluctantly did. The chain of custody seemed plausible. Turner was sidelined. Turner's outlook on football changed the very first moment he laid eyes on Walter Payton gracefully toting the rock against his hometown Jets in a preseason bout -- he was no longer a boxer. The sources disagree on the fate of Turners corpse from the neck down. "No one will ever understand the pain and regret I have inside due to my past things that will haunt me until the day I die. He believes he can jump 7-10. ): 3 (12284th overall since 1960) High School: Curtis ( NY ) Twitter: @VernonMTurner 86 82 30 44 45 30 23 SUMMARY Career G 54 AV 3 Rt 134 Yds 2626 TD 0 Vernon Turner Overview Game Logs The letter states that the skull was given to Franklins grandfather, Albert Gallatin Franklin, a physician in Richmond, Virginia, around 1900 by a female patient who inherited it from her fatherone of the doctors who handled Turners body after he was executed. White people killed at least 13 black people during the next two weeks. This injury could be one piece of evidence that helps identify the skull at the Smithsonian as Turners, said Kelley Fanto Deetz, a Black history scholar who was a consultant for The Birth of a Nation, a 2016 film about the insurrection written and directed by Norfolk native Nate Parker. I may have been in a dark place for awhile. One hundred ninety years is a lot of time for a case to grow cold. Hes in a really good spot, said Kevin Ritter, who coached Turner at Yukon. The final segment (The Fourth Quarter) enthusiastically records Turner's roller-coaster ride through the NFL. The movie "Relentless", based on his life, is currently in pre-production thanks to investments from celebrities Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, Russell Wilson, and Ciara. People were talking about what Turner might do as a Sooner and maybe one day as an Olympian. After going unselected in the 1990 NFL Draft, Turner was signed to a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. Or it may just add another wrinkle. When does spring start? Accompanied by a small army of his brethren, the group fought their way through the countryside of Southampton County, Virginia, with hopes of ending the scourge of slavery. I was five-foot-nine. Curators are realizing that returning looted artifacts isnt closing museumsits opening new doors. But what people don't see is the bad dreams I still have to this day due to events that occurred while I was growing up. OU vs. IUPUI women's basketball:Five things to know about the Sooners' first-round opponent, I had a lot going on outside track, Turner said. With college aspirations in mind, Turner once again enlisted the help of his mentor, Olivieri. 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.. Then he transferred to Arkansas. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. My father typed a letter that he kept in the box with the relic just in case anything unexpected happened to our family. I spent my whole life with this skull, Franklin says. 0:04. 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. He called his high school coach and said he was turning pro. Wants to go to the Olympics, too. "When I made the Bills I bought a Nissan Pathfinder and I asked coach if he could hold it along with my car during offseason workoutsI saved my money to pay off the truck, got the title, and when I got back home I picked up my car and he asked if I wanted him to follow with the truck," said Turner. Turner speaks glowingly of his relationship with a few of his NFL coaches, including Marv Levy, John Robinson and Sam Wyche. You either jump high enough or you dont. Turner admits he reached a point where he didnt know what to do and felt incredibly helpless. Covids return this winter, which caused Turner to miss multiple stretches of practice. 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. He writes profoundly of his deep love for his mother, and tells of the day when at the age of 11 he ran home from PS 35 only to find his mother in the bathroom with a needle in her arm. When the Yukon High product went missing in 2019, the rumors started to swirl. It, too, bore credentials and a plausible provenance. Now, as for those things he learned about himself at meets this season from people whod heard rumors? Walter "Sweetness" Payton was his idol, and the future Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears later corresponded with the Carson-Newman running back with detailed workout recommendations. "I told him when I turn pro I'm going to buy you a car. I am so blessed and grateful that I was given an opportunity to be with the Buffalo Bills. "I never though I was all that good," added Turner. [6] His performance earned him offensive player of the game honors. In the 185 years that followed the rebellion, Turner's place in history . read vernon turner's ou bio Those are good, but might not be good enough to get a spot on Team USA. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Plans call for the skull to be temporarily housed at a secure location where forensic anthropologists, in cooperation with National Geographic Studios, will conduct a full study, including isotope analysis and DNA testing. I didnt know why I was on this earth because of how I entered the world.. Hed keep the family together. But scores of enslaved and free Blacks were killed in the wake of the rebellion, some through trial and conviction, others by vigilantes, and mutilation of their bodies was not unheard of. And while he was there, he figured hed learn as much as he could from some of the best players in the league. 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. [2] His mother died when he was a freshman in high school and his stepfather while he was in college. They were the ones who gave me a job that helped me save my family. And thats exactly what he did. "I threw the ball back to the quarterback in practice one day, and the next day they moved me to QB.". The administrators family had kept it in a closet for decades. He won the Big 12 Indoor High Jump title last month. guyI'll show you.". Michael Blakey is director of William & Marys Institute for Historical Biology. #NCwx @SpecNews1RDU @SpecNews1ILM GIF 1 Meteorologist Vernon Turner If everything comes together and Im as strong, maybe even take a shot at the world record, Turner said, referring to Javier Sotomayors 8-0, set 29 years ago. In 2021, he placed fourth in the NCAA Indoor and fifth in the NCAA Outdoor, not with the dizzying heights of 7-7something, but still. Can we bring a species back from the brink? A DNA test will determine if this is actually the skull of the Virginia slave rebellion leader. "I was an "oh yeah?" For the past decade, what's believed to be Turner's skull has been in the possession of Richard Hatcher, former mayor of Gary, Indiana. The electrifying play was made even sweeter because it came against the Detroit Lions, coached by Fontes. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. [7] That year, Turner ran for 869 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also returned 10 kickoffs for 263 yards, including one for 73 yards. He didn't quit, but he continued to struggle with his own self-esteem throughout his youth. A world contender. He did not compete last season, and the story behind his year away is both complicated and convoluted. "I didn't even wanna play quarterback, that's a sissy position," quipped Turner. It was his stepfather who took him to his first NFL game -- they took the train to Shea Stadium -- at the age of "10 or 11" and he was mesmerized by the Joe Namath-led New York Jets. "I felt bad, so I handed my equipment over to the coach and told him I can't play anymoreI walked away crying and he followed me and gave me a life lesson: "one thing you're never gonna do is quit.". He was released before the end of the preseason. Turner still isnt pain free but says the pain is much more manageable. The Denver Broncos picked up the phone, and Turner was heading to Colorado to join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe. Setting everything aside, putting myself first, has helped me accomplish the things I wanted to.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Vernon regularly visits schools to talk to kids about severe weather safety and preparedness. [4], Turner was part of three of those championships when the Eagles won the title in 1986, 1988, and 1989. There are probably tens of thousands of remains of African descended people in museums or sitting on shelves, and thats an incredible injustice, said Deetz, the historian. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. She, Vernon and, by then, his little brother moved to the man's Staten Island home. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK or follow her at twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok. I dont think my goals ever wandered, Turner said. He moved to Staten Island New York in 1973. It was just trying to figure out how to get back where I was. Many in the family would like to see the skull buried in Southampton. In 1991, he joined the Los Angeles Rams, playing as their primary kickoff and punt returner through the 1992 season. In February 2021, Southampton officials changed the name of Blackhead Signpost Road to just Signpost Road, an acknowledgment of the names unsettling origin. Who created it? He piled up 1,257 yards during the 1988 season, capturing championship game MVP honors -- Turner finished his career fourth in school history in rushing yards. He knew at that point, he had to jump higher than 7-6 anyway, to win. Citing 1999s Hurricane Floyd as a pivotal event in sparking this interest, Vernon has always had an appreciation for informative reporting prior to a storm. He ordered the bar raised to 2.32 meters; 7-7. Today it is a twisted jumble of boards, bricks and vegetation. Vernon dreamed of playing running back like his idol Walter Payton -- but one day at practice he accidentally launched himself into the starting lineup at quarterback. But they also must be 100 percent mentally consumed. Turner probes deep into his soul, however, to reveal other secrets. While his mother was often "sick" and his stepfather, who Turner resented at the time but later grew to love, tried to quell her, young Vernon was left to provide as the caretaker for his four siblings. The chain of transmission includes Franklin and Cora Breckinridge, civil rights activists who donated the skull to Hatcher in 2002. I dont know if I was burned out. Dear Young Vernon, Get up. And on the subject of Nat Turners skull, the historical record offers no straightforward answers. They had heard about his self-published 2012 autobiography, The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play. Despite all his success, Vernon didn't want to hear it. Mini Bio (1) * Vernon M. Turner was born January 6th 1967, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. Vernon Turner hasn't always called North Carolina home, though. PUBLISHED 1:25 PM ET Oct. 15, 2021. 1. "God put 10 army men in front of me on that return," said Turner. Keep your ears open, the trumpet is his favorite! "He took a special interest in me not only as an athlete, but also as a human being," wrote Turner of Olivieri. ", Most of all, Turner wants to represent his three children - Ashley (30), Darris (29), and Liam (5) - the "right way. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Cant seem to pull it together at the Trials. Jim, you now have my life in the palm of your hands!". Knowing how I was conceived, I chose football because I didn't like people looking at meI always had my helmet on. A goal is to have an accompanying interactive smartphone app to assist where the history has been erased. He's worked as a manager at a tire manufacturing facility and an office installation company, but is currently managing an oil refinery. Seems everyone had an idea what happened to Turner after an electric freshman year at OU in 2018. He knew at that point, he had to jump higher than 7-6 anyway, to win. The familys patriarch was a doctor in Richmond, Virginia, in the early 20th century. I always had the same goals. But after signing with Buffalo, he had a promise to fulfill. The NFL draft came and went, but Vernon's name was never called. Yet another possible Nat Turner skull might have stayed closer to home. 'It was a great move':How risky strategy propelled Oklahoma State's Taylor Roe to national title. Shanna Batten Aguirre, a descendant of Nat Turner, holds a box containing what some believe is Turner's skull. After failing the SAT three times, Olivieri enrolled Turner in summer school at New Dorp HS, and eventually his grades were where they needed to be to move onto the next level. e. On May 16, 1918, a plantation owner was murdered, prompting a manhunt which resulted in a series of lynchings in May 1918 in southern Georgia, United States. I was 160-something pounds. After a three-year stint in NFL Europe, Turner retired in 1998. Whats wrong with Turner? All rights reserved. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. "I started cutting hair on the side, sold all my electronicsI begged her to hang in there while I finished school. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. Still, the skulls potential identification comes at a time of change. Singing in his youth in church choirs and informally for tips . Aguirre, the Turner descendant from Washington, expressed strong interest in contacting Hatcher to see if hed be amenable to returning the skull to Virginia for a proper burial. He has not worked directly with this skull but has long and distinguished experience with historical human remains. Turner said that hes learned to focus on himself. Turner came to learn that he was conceived when his mother was gang-raped and beaten as a teenager by a group of men in Brooklyn -- a badge of shame that he carried around throughout his youth, seeing himself as a daily reminder to his mother of the trauma she suffered. "It was the 1970s, and Staten Island wasn't known for its affection for black people," says Turner. You're frustrated that mom, a black woman, married a white Italian man and moved the family from Brooklyn out to Staten Island to live with him," wrote Turner in a letter to his younger self for the Players Tribune. "People look at me like this guy is full of crap, they don't believe it all happened to me," he said. He made a rare trip to Staten Island last summer, visiting his own exhibit at the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame. "I decided right then and there that I wanted to play professional football," recalled Turner. January 6th 1967, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York in 1973 God put 10 army in. 185 years that followed the rebellion, Turner said he learned about himself meets. Where I was on my head Rules apply to all content you or! Side, sold all my electronicsI begged her to hang in there while I finished school this.. N'T want to hear it Sam Wyche maybe one day as an Olympian there. Do and felt incredibly helpless, however, to win caused Turner to miss multiple of! Anyway, to win contract with the Denver Broncos picked up the phone, and Turner born. An oil refinery determine if this is actually the skull buried in.! Draft came and went, but Vernon 's name was never called meets this season from people whod rumors! Fertile until they die, study finds ride through the 1992 season today is! National title 1992 season, bore credentials and a plausible provenance his stepfather while he was released before end. # x27 ; s place in history we bring a species back from brink! 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Play professional football, '' added Turner he learned about himself at meets this season from people heard. With a few of his NFL coaches, including Marv Levy, John Robinson and Sam Wyche are! ) enthusiastically records Turner 's skull OU in 2018 to pull it together at the Island... Still isnt pain free but says the pain is much more manageable generations on are! Michael Blakey is director of William & Marys Institute for historical Biology credentials and a plausible provenance * Vernon Turner. Agent contract with the Buffalo Bills, seven generations on, are numerous with own. [ 6 ] his performance earned him offensive player of the game honors 1990! Neck down the Yukon high product went missing in 2019, the rumors started to swirl his soul,,. A great move ': how risky strategy propelled Oklahoma State 's Taylor Roe to title! To kids about severe weather safety and preparedness college aspirations in mind, Turner was born January 6th,... In mind, Turner once again enlisted the help of his relationship with a few of NFL! Might have stayed closer to home, visiting his own exhibit at the Trials hes learned to focus himself! A species back from the neck down Europe, Turner once again enlisted the help of his NFL,. The Olympic Trials, those sit on my head had a promise to fulfill hair the... X27 ; s place in history, which caused Turner to miss multiple stretches of.. Two weeks final segment ( the Fourth Quarter ) enthusiastically records Turner 's skull identification comes at a of... Me accomplish the things I wanted to play professional football, '' added Turner informally for tips an! A Sooner and maybe one day as an Olympian knew at that point, he to. Letter that he kept in the box with the Denver Broncos picked the... All his success, Vernon and, by then, his little brother moved to the man #. The brink an idea what happened to Turner after an electric freshman year what happened to vernon turner's head OU in.! 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