Bulldog Turner
Encyclopedia
Clyde Douglas Turner (March 10, 1919 – October 30, 1998) was a professional football player for the Chicago Bears
.
, was the Bears first round draft pick in the 1940 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 Detroit Lions
were fined $5000 for tampering, and the Chicago Bears
got a great two-way player.
Clyde "Bulldog" Turner was big for his day (6-2, 235); however, he was smart and very fast. A six time all-pro center, and a steady linebacker, Turner intercepted 4 passes in 5 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 '43. 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?"
) of the American Football League
. Under his leadership, the team finished last in the Eastern Conference with a 5-9 record.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
NFL playing career
Turner, coming out of Hardin-Simmons UniversityHardin-Simmons University
Hardin–Simmons University is a private Baptist university located in Abilene, Texas, United States.-History:Hardin–Simmons University was founded as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 by the Sweetwater Baptist Association and a group of cattlemen and pastors who sought to bring Christian higher...
, was the Bears first round draft pick in the 1940 draft. But, at first at least, Turner didn't want to be on the Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. It turned out that the Detroit Lions' owner paid him $200 to "get his teeth fixed" and turn down other teams proposals. The Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
were fined $5000 for tampering, and the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
got a great two-way player.
Clyde "Bulldog" Turner was big for his day (6-2, 235); however, he was smart and very fast. A six time all-pro center, and a steady linebacker, Turner intercepted 4 passes in 5 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 '43. Teammate George Musso
George Musso
George Francis Musso was an American National Football League lineman, playing both offensive guard and tackle as well as defensive middle guard...
once said of Bulldog, "Who knows what kind of player he would have been if he ever got to rest during a game?"
Coaching career
Turner served as head coach for the 1962 season of the New York Titans (now the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
. Under his leadership, the team finished last in the Eastern Conference with a 5-9 record.
External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: member biography
- Find-A-Grave biography
- New York Times Obit