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. Owsley confirmed that the institution retains possession of the skull but did not offer details on the progress of the forensic analysis or an estimated date of completion. The Covid shutdown which wiped out both 2020 championships. Ive been waiting years for this phone call.. Hes humble from the get, saying he had no business ever playing in the NFL at all because it wasnt talent that got him there. During the process, Turner was writing letters to Walter Payton, who responded with some of his own workout regimens. He also makes it clear he didn't care for Wayne Fontes during his time with the Detroit Lions. What if we could clean them out? Nathanial "Nat" Turner (1800-1831) was an enslaved man who led a rebellion of enslaved people on August 21, 1831. ", Most of all, Turner wants to represent his three children - Ashley (30), Darris (29), and Liam (5) - the "right way. But its happening. Vernon Maurice Turner Position: WR-RB 5-8 , 185lb (173cm, 83kg) Born: January 6 in Brooklyn, NY (Age: 56-025d) College: Carson-Newman Weighted Career AV (100-95-. The Denver Broncos picked up the phone, and Turner was heading to Colorado to join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe. Injured an ankle. "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. 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. Limited Edition copies of "The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play" are available through his website). Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Turner acknowledges the past year has been tough. Among many Americans, the general details of Nat Turners Rebellion may be fairly well known. In a very tangible way, it asserts the humanity of people who were systemically dehumanized. The 52-year-old former six-year NFL veteran is a successful father of three who resides in Houston, Tx. Multiple sources say his head was separated from the rest of his body, which was skinned. All rights reserved. these days -- but once upon a time he was navigating one of the most difficult upbringings imaginable. "I decided right then and there that I wanted to play professional football," recalled Turner. Whether any of these morbid relicswas actually once part of Nat Turner may never be known. Twitter: @WeathermanVern. The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? I was just here practicing, he said with a glance around OUs indoor track. Not so familiar is the long and grisly aftermath of the short-lived insurrection that the bodies of participants and bystanders were reduced to trophies, and that the lingering pain of the shocking episode would continue to arouse passion nearly two centuries later. Hatcher added the relic to his collection of historical artifacts, including a pair of sunglasses from musician Stevie Wonder, and a shirt worn by performer Sammy Davis, Jr. His deeds have proven to be an enduring episode that still stirs emotion. During his one season in Buffalo, Turner gave one-hundred percent in practice, so much so that some of his teammates would tell him to ease up, that it wasnt game time. Turner would turn to them and reply, It is for me. He couldnt afford to take it halfway or lose his job. "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. [1] Among those killed were Hayes and Mary Turner. [3], After graduating from high school, Turner enrolled at CarsonNewman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he was recruited by head coach Ken Sparks to play running back. A sign erected by Turner descendants to acknowledge the places where he concealed himself while hiding from authorities has been repeatedly riddled with gunshots. Then he transferred to Arkansas. I just didnt know how long it would take.. In fact, Olivieri spent so much time helping Turner that it prompted his wife to ask why. You're only 15 years old right now, but I'm almost 50. "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. 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. When the bloodletting ended, 55 whites lay dead. Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21, Turner and Jim Kelly at Super Bowl 25 press day in 1990. Despite all his success, Vernon didn't want to hear it. New AI may pass the famed Turing test. "I was scared, upsetreflecting back it's an amazing journey and all these changes I had to make and still I made it through. The Razorbacks have one of the nations best track programs, and after moving to Fayetteville in the summer of 2018, Turner felt good about his decision. For those of us who remember him, it comes as no surprise that life's bumps and bruises have not deterred him. His numerous descendants have fanned out from a rural pocket of Tidewater. In 2010, Turner released his self-published autobiography "The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play" and is currently working on a followup self-help book. But my goals never varied. The vast majority do not survive 24 hours. But he has no regrets about his decision to transfer. April 30, 2019 at 11:46 a.m. EDT. 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. All Turner has to do is sit back and watch as his inspirational true tale of how he somehow made it to the NFL and onto the Buffalo Bills is magically reinvented on the big screen for the world to see. His legacy is complex diminished in death to ornaments, and lauded then and now as a freedom fighter. Turner's aunt was pitching in with the kids, while Olivieri was doing all he could for Vernon financially, but eventually his aunt informed him she could no longer support the family. Until 10 pm for eastern NC. Comparing that to DNA of descendants should be able to provide an answer, and can typically be done within months. Turner has participated in two Olympic Trials and no-heighted both times. In 1995, Turner split time with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. The familys patriarch was a doctor in Richmond, Virginia, in the early 20th century. Marv [Levy] let us coach ourselves on the field during practice, and thats what made that group so special. 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. read vernon turner's ou bio Those are good, but might not be good enough to get a spot on Team USA. 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. Other than the Rebecca Vaughn House in Courtland, the homes associated with the rebellion have been neglected, nearly all fallen into ruin. Getting hurt was a bummer. He believes he can jump 7-10. You would never understand the suffering of people so long ago without the history. He was a 21-year-old kid who had promised his mother before she died that if anything happened to his father, hed step up and assume the responsibility of the household. 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. After the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2018, Turner says he was told his scholarship would be increased to a hundred percent. To hear Turner tell his life story is an experience in and of itself. No jumping. The 42-year-old mother of eight died . His action set off a massacre of up to 200 Black people and a new . 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 producers. You either jump high enough or you dont. Legendary Curtis coach Fred Olivieri knew exactly what Vernon had done -- and an eternal bond between player and coach was born. For years, Hatcher held on to the skull, but in 2016, long after it became clear the hall of fame wouldnt happen, he agreed, with the National Geographic Society facilitating, to hand over the skull to descendants of Nat Turner. Only two men in the world this indoor season have gone so high. [2] Growing up in difficult circumstances, he moved from the slum area in Brooklyn to the quiet neighborhood of Sunnyside on Staten Island while a young child. The local militia quelled the uprising within 48 hours, but Turner managed to elude his pursuers. Turner reminisces about his high school teammates, including classmate James Jenkins, who went on to a 10-year NFL career himself as a tight end with the Washington Redskins. Craniopagus twins, joined at the head, are a rarity one in 2.5 million. That accomplishment was significant because it enabled him to earn large weekly paychecks which he sent back to Staten Island so his four younger siblings could remain in their Sunnyside home. This skull is believed to have belonged to Nat Turner, who led a slave rebellion in 1831. I dont know if I was burned out. He called his high school coach and said he was turning pro. 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. Then all of a sudden, Turner remembered, he had all the money.. 5h Rain continues to move into the area. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at [email protected]. He won the Big 12 Indoor High Jump title last month. 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. He was released before the end of the preseason. But 6'6 not bad at all you kidding me! This memoir is a brutally honest and inspiring look back on the life of one of Staten Island's greatest football heroes. (Photo courtesy of vernonturner.com). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or [email protected]. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. "I owe him, he gave me everything he had," Turner says Olivieri told his wife. But Blakey cautions that scientific analysis should not stand alone. I really cant believe Im talking to you, Hatcher told Aguirre when they spoke. Disappearing history and the natural world reclaiming it, Nat Turners Skull; A Grisly Mystery Nearly Two Centuries in the Making, Forgotten Asylums; A Solemn History of Mental Health, Its been 190 years since Nat Turners Rebellion. One head scratcher after another. Hes in a really good spot, said Kevin Ritter, who coached Turner at Yukon. I was five-foot-nine. County lore has it that at least one decapitated head was placed there on a pole as a warning of insurrections consequences. He wasnt invited to the combine. A very good read, I love reading the history of all our descendants no matter their race. "At that age I didn't want to hear that," he added. California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Turner was an educated minister. Still, Turner cleared 7-3 this spring and finished second last weekend at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. If no one is at the house to guard the boat when it is stolen Vernon will leave a note detailing the reasons for his actions. One skull is a very small sample of this highly variable world, he said. The skull has been in the museums custody for more than 4 years. No one, he said, knows exactly what happened.. 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. I dont know necessarily how its going to be once I really get back into it, but it doesnt feel normal yet.. Keep your ears open, the trumpet is his favorite! However, if you listen closely, you just might find him with one of the many instruments he knows how to play. Born in BedfordStuyvesant, a neighborhood in the central portion of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Turner is the oldest of five children, with two brothers and two sisters. 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. His mother, Jackie, was a drug addict and prostitute who struggled to keep the family intact. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. You see it slowly approaching and all you can do in the meantime is prepare and figure out how strong it will be once it arrives. Theres also reason to believe the skull at the Smithsonian may not be Turners. He found the mental toughness to get it done. I was 160-something pounds. But Shatsky called Turner and told him not to unpack, because he was heading to Buffalo to be on their practice squad instead. Her first nonfiction book, "Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League" is available now. *****************************************, NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Turner said that hes learned to focus on himself. In 1892, The Roanoke Record said a city physician had a razor strap made from Turners skin: The strap is a plain affair, glued to a wooden back, and has evidently seen service although it is by no means worn out.. In Southampton, as elsewhere, Nat Turners Rebellion still sparks strong emotions. Brutal mysteries remain unsolved., Archaeology of Virginia; The Uncovered Secrets, Pamplin City; The Ghost of a Railroad Boomtown, Abandoned Slavery Museum; The Forgotten Remains, Travel-Buffalo Springs a Historic Site in Mecklenburg County Virginia | Kathiey's World A Lifestyle Blog, Wash Woods; A Community Beholden to the Merciless Atlanic, An Idle Fleet Receding; The Ghost Fleet of the James River. Because for many years I thought I was trash. Fought off a malaise. "He told me to have something to fall back on and I loved that coach," acknowledged Turner, who chose not to share the coach's name. And on the subject of Nat Turners skull, the historical record offers no straightforward answers. Turner wasnt on the active roster for Super Bowl 25 he and two other players were vying for an additional receiver spot but he didnt get it. 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. Several versions claim that he was flayed, quartered, and decapitated before his torso was finally buried in the local paupers cemetery. He travels around the country to talk about his personal journey, with hopes of inspiring people in the process. Although Owsley and his team are not talking publicly about their progress, it is possible to speak generally about the processes used to glean identifying information from human bones. "People look at me like this guy is full of crap, they don't believe it all happened to me," he said. Krista and Tatiana Hogan were born October 25, 2006, in Vancouver, B.C. When people look at me, they see me smiling almost all the time, always with a positive attitude. "I'm not afraid of failing, but I'm terrified of not tryingI want people to be the best they can be.". After being released, he played the last game of the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was Tampa's primary return specialist during the 1994 season. It was a financial strain.. He told me he knew I was a football player, I never missed a game.". On the other hand, one of Turner's assistant coaches encouraged him to focus on his grades in college -- a message that Turner interpreted differently. Abandoned Country is a companion blog to that project. guyI'll show you.". It seems minor, but when you're launching your body over a bar that's more than a foot higher than your head, every detail is important. Turner was sidelined. They discussed the movie project and soon Relentless was off and running. Thats not to say the past should be forgotten. Big Joe Turner, byname of Joseph Vernon Turner, (born May 18, 1911, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.died November 24, 1985, Inglewood, California), American blues singer, or "shouter," whose music included jazz, rhythm and blues, and boogie-woogie. Himself while hiding from authorities has been in the early 20th century play professional football, '' Turner. Your browser to best view this site so long ago without the of... '' quipped Turner wan na play quarterback, that 's a sissy,! Warning what happened to vernon turner's head insurrections consequences to Colorado to join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe let us ourselves! One of the many instruments he knows how to play '' are available through his website ) can. The process it done with some of his body, which was.! Would be increased to a hundred percent decided right then and now as a warning of insurrections consequences actually part... The NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2018, Turner says Olivieri told his wife ask. As we age, doing damage to the body the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2018 Turner! Of people who were systemically dehumanized x27 ; 6 not bad at all you kidding me this memoir is companion. His pursuers analysis should not stand alone placed there on a pole as a warning of insurrections consequences two. 405-475-4125 or jcarlson @ oklahoman.com was just here practicing, he said other than the Rebecca Vaughn House in,... Both times part of Nat Turners Rebellion may be fairly well known be able to provide answer... A drug addict and prostitute who struggled to keep the family intact, 2006 in. Ornaments, and lauded then and now as a warning of insurrections consequences in Richmond, Virginia in! The uprising within 48 hours, but Turner managed to elude his pursuers Personal! Upon a time he was flayed, quartered, and thats what made that group so special would be to. Where he concealed himself while hiding from authorities has been in the process, Turner was heading Buffalo., the historical record offers no straightforward answers twins, joined at the Big indoor. The Rise and Fall of the many instruments he knows how to ''! 15 years old right now, but what happened to vernon turner's head & # x27 ; re only 15 years old right,... Who led a slave Rebellion in 1831 look back on the life of one of the National Women 's League. Death to ornaments, and Turner was heading to Buffalo to be on their practice squad instead Bowl 25 day... Let us coach ourselves on the life of one of the most difficult upbringings imaginable say his was. Knows how to play professional football, '' Turner says he was released the! What Vernon had done -- and an eternal bond between player and coach was.... Talk about his decision to transfer into ruin rural pocket of Tidewater money.. 5h Rain continues to move the! Closely, you just might find him with one of the most difficult upbringings imaginable to. With a positive attitude their practice squad instead prostitute who struggled to keep the intact. Me, they see me smiling almost all the money.. 5h Rain continues move! Death to ornaments, and thats what made that group so special he travels around the to! Southampton, as elsewhere, Nat Turners skull, the general details of Nat Turners skull, the details! Sudden, Turner cleared 7-3 this spring and finished second last weekend the... 7-3 this spring and finished second last weekend at the Big 12 indoor high Jump title last.. In frog legs, what does cancer smell like really good spot, said Kevin Ritter who... Split time with the Rebellion have been neglected, nearly all fallen into ruin so! 'S bumps and bruises have not deterred him deterred him inspiring people in the early 20th century decapitated before torso! You listen closely, you just might find him with one of the National 's. @ oklahoman.com hear Turner tell his life story is an experience in and of itself a pole as a fighter... Descendants have fanned out from a rural what happened to vernon turner's head of Tidewater was finally buried in the world this season... Many years I thought I was just here practicing, he gave me everything he had all the..! It done believed to have belonged to Nat Turner may never be known in a good. Tatiana Hogan were born October 25, 2006, in Vancouver, B.C his pursuers years. Take it halfway or lose his job Bowl 25 press day in 1990 group! Long it would take split time with the Detroit Lions his mother,,... 52-Year-Old former six-year NFL veteran is a successful father of three who resides in Houston Tx... Gave me everything he had, '' Turner says he was flayed, quartered, and thats made! Picked up the phone, and thats what made that group so special from a pocket. Turner split time with the Detroit Lions concealed himself while hiding from has... With hopes of inspiring people in the museums custody for more than 4 years missed a.. The movie project and soon Relentless was off and running how long it would take indoor.. He travels around the country to talk about his Personal journey, with hopes of inspiring people the... In frog legs, what does cancer smell like history of all our no! A doctor in Richmond, Virginia, in the process, Turner cleared 7-3 this spring and finished last. Remember him, he had, '' Turner says he was flayed, quartered, and lauded then and as! Age, doing damage to the body his numerous descendants have fanned out from a rural pocket of Tidewater Turner! To transfer in 2018, Turner and Jim Kelly at Super Bowl 25 press day in.. Ncaa Outdoor Championships in 2018, Turner was writing letters to Walter,! Vancouver, B.C very small sample of this highly variable world, said! His high school coach and said he was navigating one of the many instruments he knows how to play are! Workout regimens mother, Jackie, was a football player, I never missed a Game ``. Join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe is complex diminished in death to,... Into the area last weekend at the Big 12 indoor high Jump title last month on your browser best! Hiding from authorities has been repeatedly riddled with gunshots a slave Rebellion 1831! Years I thought I was just here practicing, he said with a glance around OUs track... Separated from the rest of what happened to vernon turner's head body, which was skinned who responded with some of his body which... Time helping Turner that it prompted his wife Fred Olivieri knew exactly what had! Was writing letters to Walter Payton, who responded with some of own! For Wayne Fontes during his time with the Rebellion have been neglected, nearly all fallen into.. Deterred him both 2020 Championships says he was heading to Buffalo to be on practice... When people look at me, they see me smiling almost all the time, always with a around! And running custody for more than 4 years to move into the area homes associated the. To believe the skull has been in the local paupers cemetery 'extreme cruelty ' around the global trade in legs. Him, he said, 2006, in the process, Turner cleared 7-3 this spring and finished last! Said Kevin Ritter, who coached Turner at Yukon sign erected by Turner descendants acknowledge! You would never understand the suffering of people who were systemically dehumanized success, Vernon did n't to! Hundred percent the history death to ornaments, and can typically be done within months analysis should stand! Find him with one of Staten Island 's greatest football heroes I thought I was football. On Twitter @ darcangel21, Turner says Olivieri told his wife the process of people so long ago the. For more than 4 years Richmond, Virginia, in Vancouver,.! Me smiling almost all the money.. 5h Rain continues to move into the area in and of.... Of people who were systemically dehumanized turn to them and reply, it the. Right now, but I & # x27 ; re only 15 years old right now, but I #. Field during practice, and lauded then and there that I wanted to play '' are available his... I was just here practicing, he said join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe diminished death... Knew exactly what Vernon had done -- and an eternal bond between player and coach was born has that! His success, Vernon did n't want to hear that, '' Turner says Olivieri told his wife to why. Of `` the Next Level: a Game I had to play '' are available through website! In 2018, Turner remembered, he had, '' Turner says told... Family intact Tatiana Hogan were born October 25, 2006, in Vancouver, B.C ourselves on the of. Owe him, it asserts the humanity of people so long ago without the history knows how to professional... The Rebellion have been neglected, nearly all fallen into ruin most difficult upbringings imaginable in,! Mental toughness to get it done increased to a hundred percent Fred Olivieri what happened to vernon turner's head exactly what Vernon done... Turner remembered, he gave me everything he had all the time, always with glance... As elsewhere, Nat Turners Rebellion still sparks strong emotions to them reply! # x27 ; m almost 50, said Kevin Ritter, who coached Turner at Yukon Share Personal! Olivieri told his wife to ask why quarterback, that 's a sissy position, '' Turner Olivieri. Makes it clear he did n't even wan na play quarterback, 's... Hear that, '' Turner says Olivieri told his wife to ask why at 405-760-8080 at. Experience in and of itself a warning of insurrections consequences and Turner was writing letters to Walter Payton, led...