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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15059587/kevin-turner-46-dies-long-battle-als
Former NFL fullback Kevin Turner, who played eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, died Thursday after a six-year battle with ALS. He was 46.
Turner was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- in 2010. According to his foundation, Turner was was surrounded by his family and friends.
"Myra and I lost a great son today. He will be missed so much," his father, Raymond Turner, posted on Facebook. "Thanks to everyone so very much for your support and prayers during this journey. He was ready to go to Heaven, excited he said, Love y'all and God Bless."
Turner, who starred at Alabama, was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 1992 draft. He played three seasons for New England, registering his best season in 1994 when he had 52 catches for 471 yards and also rushed for 111 yards. He spent the last five years of his NFL career with the Eagles.
After his diagnosis, Turner was active in research looking for links between the degenerative brain disease CTE, ALS and head trauma related to football. He started the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise funds for ALS research.
He said he was sure football contributed to his condition and became a lead plaintiff in the massive lawsuit retired players filed against the NFL regarding concussions.
"Football had something to do with it," Turner said in 2011. "I don't know to what extent, and I may not ever know. But there are too many people I know that have ALS and played football in similar positions. They seem to be linebackers, fullbacks, strong safeties. Those are big collision guys."
Turner said he wouldn't have played had he known the risk.
"If they would have come to me and said, 'I've seen the future. This is what happens.' Of course, I would stop playing immediately," Turner said. "But, as we all know, nobody can see the future. For me, it just falls into a long line of bad decisions."
Turner's struggle was the subject of a 2012 HBO documentary called "American Man" and a music video for the song "Journey On" by Ty Herndon. In 2011, Turner and Herndon presented a $4.3 million check to the ALS Therapy Alliance at a ceremony at Fenway Park.
Turner is survived by his former wife and three children. His son Nolan, 18, committed to play football at Clemson for Dabo Swinney, an Alabama teammate of Kevin Turner.
This is so sad, what a horrible unforgiving disease........RIP
Former NFL fullback Kevin Turner, who played eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, died Thursday after a six-year battle with ALS. He was 46.
Turner was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- also known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- in 2010. According to his foundation, Turner was was surrounded by his family and friends.
"Myra and I lost a great son today. He will be missed so much," his father, Raymond Turner, posted on Facebook. "Thanks to everyone so very much for your support and prayers during this journey. He was ready to go to Heaven, excited he said, Love y'all and God Bless."
Turner, who starred at Alabama, was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 1992 draft. He played three seasons for New England, registering his best season in 1994 when he had 52 catches for 471 yards and also rushed for 111 yards. He spent the last five years of his NFL career with the Eagles.
After his diagnosis, Turner was active in research looking for links between the degenerative brain disease CTE, ALS and head trauma related to football. He started the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise funds for ALS research.
He said he was sure football contributed to his condition and became a lead plaintiff in the massive lawsuit retired players filed against the NFL regarding concussions.
"Football had something to do with it," Turner said in 2011. "I don't know to what extent, and I may not ever know. But there are too many people I know that have ALS and played football in similar positions. They seem to be linebackers, fullbacks, strong safeties. Those are big collision guys."
Turner said he wouldn't have played had he known the risk.
"If they would have come to me and said, 'I've seen the future. This is what happens.' Of course, I would stop playing immediately," Turner said. "But, as we all know, nobody can see the future. For me, it just falls into a long line of bad decisions."
Turner's struggle was the subject of a 2012 HBO documentary called "American Man" and a music video for the song "Journey On" by Ty Herndon. In 2011, Turner and Herndon presented a $4.3 million check to the ALS Therapy Alliance at a ceremony at Fenway Park.
Turner is survived by his former wife and three children. His son Nolan, 18, committed to play football at Clemson for Dabo Swinney, an Alabama teammate of Kevin Turner.
This is so sad, what a horrible unforgiving disease........RIP
