Former Eagles FB Kevin Turner, Who Died From ALS, Had One Of The Most Severe Cases Of CTE Ever Seen

BOSTON – Kevin Turner died from complications of amyothropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a disease Boston University researcher Ann McKee said was sparked by CTE, the brain-destroying disease seen in football players, boxers and other athletes who participate in contact sports. McKee and her Boston University and Veterans Administration colleagues established a link between CTE and ALS in 2010. Turner suffered from Stage IV CTE, the most advanced stage of the disease that pushed NFL stars Dave Duerson and Junior Seau to suicide. McKee said the former Patriots and Eagles fullback’s brain was “riddled” with CTE. “This is clearly one of the most severe cases we have ever seen,” McKee said.

That’s some serious sad and scary stuff. Sure, it was assumed that a lifetime of going head first like a Ram during mating season every day for a few decades would result in a brain turning to mush. But the worse case of CTE, EVER? Such a damn shame.

I remember FB Kevin Turner plowing over everything in sight and making catches over people out of the backfield. The dude was one of the old school tough guys who would have to be blacked out or missing a limb to come off the field. It’s safe to say he got his bell rung more times than a few, and it’s awful that it led to ALS. And for anyone who says there isn’t a coloration between football and the disease *cough Jerry Jones cough* is an outright naive, ignorant, asshole where a nice concussion or 20 may actually improve their brain. You never want to see anyone suffer like this from something that could potentially be preventable. ALS outright SUCKS. I had the displeasure of watching one of my childhood buddies succumb through the stages of this horrific disease at the young age of 26 (Read about the great Dustin Myers here). No matter how strong you may be in the body and mind (and believe me, Dustin was tougher than everyone in both), it’s still one of the most awful ways possible to go. Kevin Turner donated his brain to science as well as the latter days of his life to learn more about CTE and ALS. Good on him to dedicate his remaining years to eradicating this shit disease.

Here’s Kevin talking about ALS shortly before his death, which may be one of the saddest, but most real, videos you’ll ever see. RIP.