Turk Edwards

Albert Glen "Turk" Edwards (September 28, 1907 – January 12, 1973) was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played his entire career for, and eventually became the head coach of, the Washington Redskins. Edwards was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

College career

Edwards attended and played college football at Washington State University from 1929 to 1931. While there, he helped lead the Cougars to a 9-0 record during the 1930 season and gained a invitation to the 1931 Rose Bowl. Edwards, along with Mel Hein, became the first All-Americans selected from Washington State.

Professional career

After finishing college, Edwards received offers from three NFL franchises, the recently created Boston Braves, the New York Giants, and the Portsmouth Spartans. He chose the highest bid –- $1,500 for 10 games from the Braves, a team that would later become the Boston Redskins and then move to Washington D.C. in 1937.

Edwards played for the Braves/Redskins for nine seasons, winning All-NFL honors from major media outlets every year of his career except his last one.

Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to an injury that did not even occur in a game. Edwards was injured at a coin-tossing ceremony prior to a game against the New York Giants in 1940. After calling the coin toss and shaking hands with former teammate Mel Hein (the Giants' captain), Edwards attempted to pivot around to head back to his sideline. However, his cleats caught in the grass and his oft-injured knee gave way, ending his season and ultimately his career.

Coaching career

Edwards continued with the Redskins as an assistant coach from 1941 to 1945 and then as the head coach from 1946 to 1948. Then after 17 straight seasons with the Redskins, Edwards retired from professional football.

External links

• Template:Pro-football-reference
• Turk Edwards at the Pro Football Hall of Fame