Bulldog Turner
Bulldog Turner | |
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Positions: Center , Linebacker |
Jersey number (s): 66 |
born March 10, 1919 in Plains , Texas | |
died on October 30, 1998 in Gatesville , Texas | |
Career information | |
Active : 1940 - 1952 | |
NFL Draft : 1940 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | |
College : Hardin-Simmons University | |
Teams | |
player
Trainer
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Career statistics | |
Games | 138 |
Interceptions | 17th |
Touchdowns | 4th |
Stats at NFL.com | |
Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
College Football Hall of Fame |
Clyde Douglas "Bulldog" Turner (* 10. March 1919 in Plains , Texas ; † 30th October 1998 in Gatesville , Texas) was an American Football poker players and coaches. He played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears .
youth
Clyde Turner grew up in Sweetwater and attended high school there . He played in the local football team in various positions. He wasn't particularly noticeable, his body weight was too low. In no position could he establish himself as a starter . At the age of 16 he graduated from high school and then worked as a cattle seller to earn the money to study at college . In his spare time he was able to increase his original body weight from 70 kg to 86 kg through hard training. In order to impress those around him, he took his nickname and later nickname "Bulldog" himself.
Player career
College career
Bulldog Turner studied at Hardin-Simmons University from 1937 to 1939 . Hardin-Simmons University had a relatively insignificant team in football. Turner, who was able to increase his body weight to 97 kg at college, ran for their football team and was initially not intended for any particular player position. Since the original regular player had injured himself on the position of the center , he was used in the offensive line of the team and was able to prevail immediately as a starter. During his three-year college career, his team won 23 games, lost three and drew twice.
Professional career
Turner played on a relatively minor football team in college. In the 1940s, the NFL's draft system was still in its infancy. Professional scouts were still unknown, the NFL teams relied primarily on the All-American lists published by the various press organs. The interest of the NFL teams in Bulldog Turner was all the more astonishing. Although it was the Bears in 1940 managed to Turner in the first round in seventh place draften tried the Detroit Lions Turner on their team to tie. The NFL stopped this violation of their rules and fined the Lions $ 5,000 .
The Bears were trained by George Halas . Bulldog Turner was used by him in his rookie season as the center of quarterback Sid Luckman , but also got time as a guard , as a tackle , and as a linebacker in the team's defense . Turner won his first title in his first year as a professional. In the 1940 NFL championship game , the Washington Redskins were beaten 73-0. Turner was able to carry an interception to a touchdown in the opposing end zone. In 1941 the Bears were able to defend their title. They defeated the New York Giants 37-9. Turner caught another interception.
In 1942, Halas left the Bears during the season and was replaced by Hunk Anderson and Luke Johnsos . The Bears played a defeat-free season and Turner was able to achieve eight interceptions in the season and use them to gain 96 yards . Completely surprisingly, his team lost the NFL final against the Redskins 14: 6. Turner and his team were unaffected by this defeat and secured the title in the third final against the Redskins in 1943 with a 41:21 win. Turner intercepted another pass.
In the 1945 season Turner could only play two games for the team from Chicago . He was called up for military service by the United States Army Air Forces and spent this as a player on an Air Force football team.
In 1946, George Halas returned to the Bears as coach and led the team to their fourth title win in seven years. In the NFL final, the Giants had to admit defeat 24:14. Turner was again able to intercept a pass from the opposing quarterback.
In 1947 Turner was responsible for a playful highlight. In a game against the Redskins he was able to intercept a pass from Sammy Baugh and carry him over a distance of 96 yards into the end zone of the Redskins. He carried Baugh, who was still trying to keep him from scoring a touchdown over a distance of seven yards into the end zone.
After the 1952 season, Turner ended his playing career after 132 games in the NFL.
Coaching career
Bulldog Turner was hired by the Bears as an assistant coach after his playing career . In 1962 he became head coach of the New York Titans . He held this office for a year and was then replaced by Weeb Ewbank .
Honors
Bulldog Turner played twice in the Pro Bowl , the final game of the best players of the season. Eight times he was voted All Pro . His shirt number is no longer assigned by the Bears. Turner is a member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team , the Texas Sports Hall of Fame , the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame .
death
Clyde Turner died of lung cancer and was buried in Greenbriar Cemetery in Gatesville. He left two daughters.
Web links
- Bulldog Turner with the Chicago Bears
- Obituary in the New York Times
- Bulldog Turner coaching statistics
- Turner in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Individual evidence
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Bears 1940
- ↑ NFL endgame statistics 1940
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Bears 1941
- ^ NFL endgame statistics 1941
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Bears 1942
- ↑ NFL endgame statistics 1942
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Bears 1943
- ^ NFL endgame statistics 1943
- ↑ Annual statistics of the Bears 1946
- ^ NFL endgame statistics 1946
- ^ Clyde "Bulldog" Turner in the Find a Grave database . Retrieved September 15, 2017.
personal data | |
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SURNAME | Turner, bulldog |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Turner, Clyde Douglas (full name) |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American football player and coach |
DATE OF BIRTH | March 10, 1919 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Plains , Texas , United States |
DATE OF DEATH | October 30, 1998 |
Place of death | Gatesville , Texas, United States |