. I need you to listen to me and if there is anyone in this world you should listen to, it's me. But once I decided to turn pro and I knew what the odds were against me making it, I went into training mode.. I was nowhere near the caliber of a pro football player. He had four other people counting on him. "I didn't even wanna play quarterback, that's a sissy position," quipped Turner. Nat Turner was an African-American slave preacher in Virginia who led the bloodiest slave rebellion in American history. The familys stewardship acknowledges and rejects the historical objectification of human remains of people of color. No less certain is the fate of Turners skull. He called his high school coach and said he was turning pro. Bruce Turner, a Virginia Beach resident and a great-great-great-great-grandson of Nat Turner, is not convinced its his. Accompanied by a small army of his brethren, the group fought their way through the countryside of Southampton County, Virginia, with hopes of ending the scourge of slavery. The 2018 election through then Republican candidate Mark Harris' eyes. Several had heard reports or read newspaper articles stating that the skull had been donated to Hatcher at a 2002 charity gala for the Civil Rights Hall of Fame, a museum project Hatcher has long championed. The museum declined the donation on the grounds that it doesnt display human remains. Bruce Turner said he learned more about it from reading history books in California than he did as a boy in Southampton. "It was the 1970s, and Staten Island wasn't known for its affection for black people," says Turner. This skull is believed to have belonged to Nat Turner, who led a slave rebellion in 1831. After being released, he played the last game of the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and was Tampa's primary return specialist during the 1994 season. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? Now, as for those things he learned about himself at meets this season from people whod heard rumors? A DNA test will determine if this is actually the skull of the Virginia slave rebellion leader. Vernon Turner (born January 6, 1967) [1] is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back, wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Europe League (NFLE) for eight seasons during the 1990s. He travels around the country to talk about his personal journey, with hopes of inspiring people in the process. As an athlete, everyone hits their times where they might not be doing what they want to do. When people look at me, they see me smiling almost all the time, always with a positive attitude. Less than two weeks away from the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Turner is still working to re-establish himself. Just being out of the rhythm of competition has really messed with me, Turner said. His numerous descendants have fanned out from a rural pocket of Tidewater. 5h Rain continues to move into the area. If I had to choose a few words to describe my story, they would have to be sadness, embarrassment, heartbreaking guilt, regret, anger, fear, determination, triumph and relief.". "No one will ever understand the pain and regret I have inside due to my past things that will haunt me until the day I die. Aguirre, the Turner descendant from Washington, expressed strong interest in contacting Hatcher to see if hed be amenable to returning the skull to Virginia for a proper burial. He ordered the bar raised to 2.32 meters; 7-7. I just didnt know how long it would take.. After going unselected in the 1990 NFL Draft, Turner was signed to a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. #NCwx @SpecNews1RDU @SpecNews1ILM GIF 1 Meteorologist Vernon Turner "He told me to have something to fall back on and I loved that coach," acknowledged Turner, who chose not to share the coach's name. "He took an interest in my family. Its not hard to find Southampton residents who refuse to speak to strangers about the event. I became obsessed, forgot about boxing, all I cared about was footballand that's how my career started. Tracking hurricanes is like being stalked by a turtle. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Been a long time. If we are encouraged to face the truths of our past through certain events that capture peoples attention or imagination, if it pushes people to learn and understand history, that is a good thing., Ben lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. The ethnographic museum of the past is making its way to the exit.. read vernon turner's ou bio Those are good, but might not be good enough to get a spot on Team USA. Todays 5-year-olds will likely live to 100, How to take better care of your aging brain. Even if it cannot be proved to be Reverend Turners skull, she said, I dont think that diminishes the relevance and its symbolic importance.. That night, he unveiled what would be the museums centerpiece: the skull of Nat Turner. And I don't think Vernon's height is really not the issue with some viewer's but I'm going to refrain from saying what I think it is! Today it is a twisted jumble of boards, bricks and vegetation. Turner also works as a personal trainer for aspiring young athletes and can be contacted at www.VernonTurner.com. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? "Even with all the accomplishments, I didn't take compliments wellI was trained that way by Coach Olivieri," said Turner. There are other, similar references in written and oral history about pieces of Turner that were kept as curiosities. Because for many years I thought I was trash. For those of us who remember him, it comes as no surprise that life's bumps and bruises have not deterred him. If it is confirmed as Turner's, it will be laid to rest alongside other descendants. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "Vernon Turner's Improbable Journey to the NFL" will air on Fox Sports 1 at 10:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 21. . [3], After graduating from high school, Turner enrolled at CarsonNewman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he was recruited by head coach Ken Sparks to play running back. Sam, VT's stepfather, was a Jets season ticket holder -- and Jackie made Vernon promise that he'd accept an invitation if asked to attend a game, which he reluctantly did. Its a moment he says he wishes he would have appreciated more going from undrafted to being a part of a Super Bowl team, soaking in all the sights and the sounds, and getting a hug from the likes of Whitney Houston. Jim, you now have my life in the palm of your hands!". [6] He scored his first six points on an 80-yards run in the game's first play from scrimmage. An 1831 woodcut depicted Nat Turner's insurrection. And all the while he kept his family situation to himself he says no one in college or the NFL knew. "I thought I was done for." He decided to transfer and landed at Arkansas. Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or [email protected]. To this day, I call him and tell him how much I appreciate what he's done for me and my family.". That gave him a chance to focus on school, and he soon realized he didn't like the direction his academics were heading. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK or follow her at twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok. A CT. See what I mean about the mental side? Sam, his stepfather, had passed away due to health complications -- leaving four young children behind while Vernon was all the way in Tennessee. Francis believes that any acknowledgment accompanying buried remains should be simple and respectful, something like Nat Turner, Leader of the Insurrection of 1831.. A small group gathered last week in a hotel suite on the outskirts of Gary, Indiana. 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