Bulldog Turner
 Turner c. 1948 | |||||||||
| No. 66 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Center, linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | March 10, 1919 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Plains, Texas | ||||||||
| Date of death: | October 30, 1998 (aged 79) | ||||||||
| Place of death: | Gatesville, Texas | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 237 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Sweetwater (TX) | ||||||||
| College: | Hardin–Simmons | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1940 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Clyde Douglas "Bulldog" Turner (March 10, 1919 – October 30, 1998) was a professional American football player for the Chicago Bears.[1] He played thirteen seasons for the Bears and was a member of four NFL championship teams. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.[2]
NFL playing career
Out of Hardin–Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, Turner was the Bears' first round selection in the 1940 NFL draft. But, at first at least, Turner didn't want to be on the Bears. It turned out that the Detroit Lions' owner paid him $200 to "get his teeth fixed" and turn down other teams proposals. The Lions were fined $5,000 for tampering, and the Bears got a great two-way player.
Turner was big for his day (6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), 237 lb (108 kg)); however, he was smart and very fast. A six-time all-pro center, and a steady linebacker, Turner intercepted four passes in five NFL title games. In 1942, he led the league in interceptions (8). He said that he studied all 11 assignments for all plays, which came in handy when some players were ejected for fighting one game in 1943. Teammate George Musso once said of Bulldog, "Who knows what kind of player he would have been if he ever got to rest during a game?"
An eight-time All-Pro selection, Turner was a member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team and the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, named in 1969. The Bears retired his number 66.
Coaching career
Turner was the head coach of the New York Titans of the American Football League for their third season in 1962, succeeding Sammy Baugh.[3] Under his leadership, the Titans finished last in the Eastern division with a 5–9 record. The team was sold in March 1963 and became the New York Jets, and Turner was fired,[4] succeeded by Weeb Ewbank.[5]
Death
Suffering from emphysema and lung cancer, Turner died at age 79 at home on his ranch in Gatesville, Texas.[6]
References
- ↑ Goldstein, Richard (November 2, 1998). "Bulldog Turner, 79, a Star For Bears and Hall of Famer". New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ↑ Lemire, Christy (November 1, 1998). "'Bulldog' Turner succumbs at 79". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. G4.
- ↑ "Bulldog Turner is new Titans coach". Lawrence Journal World. Kansas. Associated Press. December 19, 1961. p. 14.
- ↑ "Turner is fired as Titan skipper". Lawrence Journal World. Kansas. Associated Press. March 27, 1963. p. 14.
- ↑ Hand, Jack (April 17, 1963). "Ewbank hopes for new era with his Jets". Gettysburg Times. Pennsylvania. Associated Press. p. 4.
- ↑ "Bulldog Turner dies". Sunday Gazette. Schenectady, New York. November 1, 1998. p. E3.
External links
- Bulldog Turner at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Bulldog Turner at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com • Pro-Football-Reference • Databasefootball.com
- Bulldog Turner at Find a Grave