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The Life, Career And Untimely Death Of Browns Safety Eric Turner (Story) – Browns Nation

Aug 21st, 2020

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Until the 1990s, the Cleveland Browns consistently posted winning records and appeared in the playoffs.

However,the 90s marked the beginning of a decline for the franchise that, unfortunately, has not ended.

To date, the Brownshave only made the playoffs twice since 1990 (1994, 2002).

Clevelands seemingly endless walk through purgatory has not been without its bright spots.

Quite a few All-Prosand Pro Bowlers have graced the rosters of the team in the past three decades.

Nevertheless, their talent has beenundercut by far less equitable talent on those same rosters.

This has meant numerous seasons with double digitlosses and unenviable coaching, management, and personnel turnover.

One of the bright spots on the Browns early 90s teams was safety Eric Turner.

Eric Turner pic.twitter.com/5Y2qXxxbE5

XAV. #D4L (Dawg4Life) (@DirtDawg80) March 29, 2020

Though he only experienced one winning season in Cleveland, Turner made a significant impact.

After being draftedout of UCLA in 1991, he quickly became one of the best safeties in the NFL.

His presence in the defensive backfieldmade more than a few receivers wary.

Turner continued to shine even after the Browns left for Baltimore as he roamed the secondary for both the Ravensand, later, the Raiders.

Then, suddenly, his life was cut short by a deadly disease that left the football world reeling.

This is the story of the life, career, and unforeseen death of Eric Turner.

Eric Ray Turner was born on September 20, 1968 in Ventura, California.

His father was a pastor and eventually leftthe family by the time Turner was four.

Turners mother raised three young boys and worked as an accounting clerkto make ends meet.

Eventually, Turners mother remarried and his step-father became a valued part of his life.

Were very close, Turner said in a 1994 interview, like the five fingers on a hand.

While attending Ventura High School, Turner displayed the skills he would show the world as a pro years later.

During his time in high school, Turner was named All-American, All-State, All-California Interscholastic Federation(CIF), All-County, and All-League in football.

In addition to his pigskin accolades, Turner was also All-CIF in trackand All-League in basketball.

As he neared the end of his senior year, Turner had numerous college opportunities to choose from.

Wanting to staynear home, he picked UCLA as his college destination.

Choosing UCLA was practically a no-brainer for Turner.

Not only was he close to home so his family could watchhim play on Saturdays, but he was also joining a program known for its safety development.

Before Turner arrivedon campus, the Bruins had already produced Kenny Easley, who went on to star for the Seattle Seahawks.

DonRogers, who would later play for the Browns, (and pass away himself at the peak of his career) arrived at UCLAafter Easley. Rogers, then, begat James Washington, who would go on to play for three NFL teams as well as wintwo Super Bowls.

After redshirting his first season at UCLA, Turner began his own march toward Bruin immortality.

In 1987, Turner,nicknamed E-Rock by his teammates, was primarily a reserve, but still posted 48 tackles and three picks, includingone returned for a touchdown.

After the season, he was named a First-Team Freshman All-American by FootballNews.

1988 saw Turner make the starting roster on his way to 87 tackles, three INTs and being named to the First-TeamSophomore All-American list by Football News.

The Bruins went 10-2 that year and defeated Arkansas in the CottonBowl 17-3.

In 1989, Turner racked up 141 tackles, three more picks and earned honorable mention All-American honors.

As asenior in 1990, Turner was chosen as the Bruins Most Valuable Player after leading the team with 93 tackles andfive INTs.

He solidified his First-Team All-American nod during the season when he made a late interception that ledto a UCLA game winning field goal against number two ranked Washington.

Turners fine career in Los Angeles led to waves of pro scouts watching his every move.

29 days till College Football

#29 Eric Turner- S UCLA (87-90)

14 interceptionsAll-American(90)#CountdownToKickoff pic.twitter.com/hihrg1CEwU

Lane (@lanedorr24) July 26, 2019

By the time the 1991 NFL Draft arrived, he was at the top of most teams lists.

Turner didnt have to wait long afterthe draft started.

With the number two pick, the Browns scooped up Turner, making him the highest ever selectionfor a defensive back in the modern era of football.

With pick 2 in the 1991 NFL Draft, the #Browns selected Eric Turner, FS, UCLA.

He posted an elite #RAS with good size, great speed, elite explosiveness, at the FS position.

He went to two career pro bowls. pic.twitter.com/MWfyzBc6KL

Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 23, 2019

After being drafted, Turner signed a four-year deal with the Browns for $6 million including a $3.15 million signingbonus.

With that cash, he bought his mother her dream home in California.

Then, Turner got to work learning Defensive Coordinator Nick Sabans defensive schemes.

Eric Turner, Safety for the Cleveland Browns for 5 years from 91-95. He was Pro Bowl and All-Pro in 94, fourth year in the league, and would play 4 years after his time with Browns. Turner died suddenly May 29th, 2000 at the age of 31. #Browns #Raiders https://t.co/1xGLIQx7xo pic.twitter.com/PyHAt0NIt4

Hopeful Browns Fan (@BrownsTownBrad) September 30, 2018

During his rookie year, Turner started seven games and turned in a solid performance with 84 tackles and two picksincluding one for a touchdown.

@Browns Eric Turner Rookie Year 1991 #BrownsCamp Look At That Infectious Smile pic.twitter.com/F6xKKzy8eU

Jim Babos (@CLE_bos_23) September 30, 2016

Unfortunately, new head coach Bill Belichick and the Browns were in full blown rebuilding mode and the team endedthe year 6-10.

In 1992, Turner started 15 games and increased his tackle total to 119 to go along with one interception.

Clevelandwas still mired in mediocrity and hit the finish line at 7-9.

The team posted the same record in 1993, but by then, theworld knew who Eric Turner was.

Nearly every time a Browns highlight was shown, there was Turner putting the wood to some poor sap.

You didnt bring that weak stuff across the middle with Eric Turner. #Browns vs Steelers pic.twitter.com/QTKLOMr0m5

Vintage Browns (@VintageBrowns) November 14, 2019

He was adept at timing a pass just right and interrupting what looked to be a certain reception.

He was a sure tackleras well.

In 93, his tackle total for the season ballooned to 159, which turned out to be the highest total of his career.

In 1994, Belichick and Saban finally got the right roster chemistry and the Browns were rolling.

The team finished 11-5 that year and Turner led the league with nine picks.

He was voted to his first Pro Bowl and was named a First-Team All-Pro.

He was a human highlight reel on the field and was flashy off it.

However, his teammates were quickto point out who Turner really was.

Hes got that Hollywood mentality, said Browns defensive end Rob Burnett during a 1994 interview. But thats just an act. Eric is the kind of guy kids can look up to. If you look beyond the shades and the gold chains and all that stuff, Eric is a very religious guy who takes his job and his life very seriously.

Even the notoriously tight-lipped Saban had praise for Turners play, especially in 1994.

I think the biggest difference between Eric now and earlier in his career is that hes not only a big hitter now, but hes an efficient, effective tackler who makes very few misses, said Saban in 1994. Hes making big plays without taking risks. Its hard for me to imagine any safety in the league playing better than he is.

During a Week 3 game against Arizona, Turner took one of his interceptions 93 yards to the house for a touchdown.

In a Week 15 matchup against the mighty Cowboys, Turner tackled Dallas tight end Jay Novacek at the one-yard line to preserve a 19-14 upset.

After the Saturday 12/10/94 game against the @dallascowboys, that ended with a goal line denial of Jay Novacek by Eric Turner, I bought this Vinny Testaverde jersey. #Browns pic.twitter.com/1TxsTMUGRZ

Ed_in_Columbus (@ed_in_columbus) April 4, 2019

That season, Sabans defense was ranked number one in the NFL.

The team rode that success to their first playoffappearance since after the 1989 season.

I loved this Coke promotion as a kid. Plus Eric Turner was such a beast. #Browns #Halloween #MonstersoftheGridIron pic.twitter.com/SnNt5iXeRP

Rob-Stone (@RobStone_) October 2, 2019

In the Wild Card round against the Patriots, Cleveland intercepted quarterback Drew Bledsoe three times.

One ofthose picks came courtesy of Turner with seven minutes remaining in the game.

25 years ago today the Browns recorded their most recent playoff win with a 20-13 defeat of the Patriots. Hats off to coach Belichick and the late Eric Turner at safety for shutting down Drew Bledsoes high powered attack. FYI, Tom Brady was a senior in high school. #Browns pic.twitter.com/fu5Wcv0TAH

Johnstone (@JStoneTrivia86) January 1, 2020

Turner returned the ball 28 yards to the New England 36 and the turnover eventually resulted in a field goal.

TheBrowns went on to win the game 20-13 and advanced to face division foe Pittsburgh.

Unfortunately, even withTurner picking off another playoff pass, the Steelers ended Clevelands run a week later with a commanding 29-9victory.

In 1995, the Browns came crashing back to earth.

Original post:
The Life, Career And Untimely Death Of Browns Safety Eric Turner (Story) - Browns Nation

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