I had decent stats. He believes he can jump 7-10. When Turner reached high school, he faced more challenges. Fought off a malaise. Theres also reason to believe the skull at the Smithsonian may not be Turners. What got him there was why he was so motivated to succeed in the first place the need to take care of his family. Rick Francis, a descendant of victims and survivors of the rebellion, is Southampton Countys clerk of the Circuit Court. Turner came to learn that he was conceived when his mother was gang-raped and beaten as a teenager by a group of men in Brooklyn -- a badge of shame that he carried around throughout his youth, seeing himself as a daily reminder to his mother of the trauma she suffered. "I forgot I wasn't that good," said Turner. They had a higher expectation of themselves than what their coaches had.. Seems everyone had an idea what happened to Turner after an electric freshman year at OU in 2018. Even though hes not back on the trajectory he had as a freshman, Turner still has lofty goals. Injured an ankle. At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Turner was severely undersized, but he posted solid preseason numbersup until the final game. A national champion. Library of Congress After Turner's death, local doctors mutilated his corpse. Vernon would go on to amass more than 3,000 kick/punt return yards over the course of his six-year NFL career, and reached Super Bowl XXV with the Bills in 1990. A DNA test will determine if this is actually the skull of the Virginia slave rebellion leader. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK or follow her at twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok. But after signing with Buffalo, he had a promise to fulfill. And once a director is selected and the announcement is formally made, filming will commence. But within the past couple decades theres been a noticeable shift. During the recent filming of the National Geographic Studios documentary Rise Up: The Legacy of Nat Turner, there were frequent discussions with descendants and historians about the fate of Turners remains. This injury could be one piece of evidence that helps identify the skull at the Smithsonian as Turners, said Kelley Fanto Deetz, a Black history scholar who was a consultant for The Birth of a Nation, a 2016 film about the insurrection written and directed by Norfolk native Nate Parker. April 30, 2019 at 11:46 a.m. EDT. It received such incredible feedback that Derek Jeter flew Turner to New York City to meet with him personally. Born in Bed-Stuy, Turner, the oldest of five children, relocated along with his mother, Jackie, and stepfather, Sam, to Sunnyside just prior to his seventh birthday. 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. Turner referred to his journey as being both "amazing" and "head-scratching". At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, Turner was severely undersized, but he. When Vernon Turner ran 80 yards to the end zone on a punt return in 1994, he broke an infamous drought in Bucs history and also validated his own life-or-death journey to make it in the NFL Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Not so familiar is the long and grisly aftermath of the short-lived insurrection that the bodies of participants and bystanders were reduced to trophies, and that the lingering pain of the shocking episode would continue to arouse passion nearly two centuries later. Hes in a really good spot, said Kevin Ritter, who coached Turner at Yukon. Reverend John Jackson of Trinity United Church of Christ started the prayer. 'It was a great move':How risky strategy propelled Oklahoma State's Taylor Roe to national title. Turner, a phenom when he was coming out of Yukon High School and when he jumped 7 feet, 7 inches as a Sooner freshman, had become a mystery. Hed keep the family together. But deep inside he felt that Turners remains should be reunited with his descendants. Vernon dreamed of playing running back like his idol Walter Payton -- but one day at practice he accidentally launched himself into the starting lineup at quarterback. That went okay for a while. "People look at me like this guy is full of crap, they don't believe it all happened to me," he said. He heard through the grapevine VanHootgens days at OU might be limited VanHootgen eventually did step down but Turner ultimately opted to return to Norman because he wanted to work again with high jump coach Jerel Langley. Once his father passed away, fulfilling that promise was all he could think about. But now, only South Koreas Sanghyeok Woo has jumped higher than Turners 7-7 this year. Turner had to dig deep and jump higher than he had gone in four years. EXCLUSIVE: Undrafted punt returner Vernon Turner might have come into the NFL through modest auspices, but his inspiring life story will head to the screen backed by a high wattage group of produce Vernon Turner's story and upbringing is one of the most powerful and inconceivable triumph tales ever told, and much of it took place right on Staten Island during his days as Curtis HS's star quarterback. I always had the same goals. Obviously if we are able to determine that it is the skull of our ancestor that would be tremendously important on a spiritual and emotional level for the family.. "The rule was if you were late you don't play, but the coaches played me anyway," explained Turner. Brutal mysteries remain unsolved.. Phootgraph by Rebecca Hale and Mark Thiessen, National Geographic, Photograph by Jed Winer, National Geographic, Illustration by ullstein bild/ullstein bild/Getty, One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. That accomplishment was significant because it enabled him to earn large weekly paychecks which he sent back to Staten Island so his four younger siblings could remain in their Sunnyside home. When the bloodletting ended, 55 whites lay dead. [6] Despite concluding his senior campaign only second in rushing yards to teammate Robert Thomas, he was selected to the first team All-South Atlantic Conference in 1989. Brutal mysteries remain unsolved., Archaeology of Virginia; The Uncovered Secrets, Pamplin City; The Ghost of a Railroad Boomtown, Abandoned Slavery Museum; The Forgotten Remains, Travel-Buffalo Springs a Historic Site in Mecklenburg County Virginia | Kathiey's World A Lifestyle Blog, Wash Woods; A Community Beholden to the Merciless Atlanic, An Idle Fleet Receding; The Ghost Fleet of the James River. Whether any of these morbid relicswas actually once part of Nat Turner may never be known. In recent years, Francis has been leading tours around Southampton to acknowledge some of the important sites, although hes conducted none since the onset of the pandemic. Vernon regularly visits schools to talk to kids about severe weather safety and preparedness. Walter "Sweetness" Payton was his idol, and the future Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears later corresponded with the Carson-Newman running back with detailed workout recommendations. County lore has it that at least one decapitated head was placed there on a pole as a warning of insurrections consequences. But my goals never varied. In other words, elite high jumpers must be strong and fast and possess impeccable technique. The second one cleared, and Turner was back. Thats something I really need to do for myself.. "He'd take me to school everyday and pick me up until I got my high school diploma.". 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. He moved to Staten Island New York in 1973. "God put 10 army men in front of me on that return," said Turner. He subsequently joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad and played in one regular season game. 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. In 1831, after receiving what he believed to be prophecies from God, Nat Turner led the bloodiest slave revolt in American history. The 52-year-old former six-year NFL veteran is a successful father of three who resides in Houston, Tx. PUBLISHED 1:25 PM ET Oct. 15, 2021. In the 185 years that followed the rebellion, Turner's place in history . There are other, similar references in written and oral history about pieces of Turner that were kept as curiosities. But Shatsky called Turner and told him not to unpack, because he was heading to Buffalo to be on their practice squad instead. He fathered two children, a daughter and son, out of wedlock while a college student in Tennessee and only recently did he meet his son, Darris, who tracked his father down through Facebook. American JuVaughn Harrison also has cleared 7-7. That stuff makes him scratch his head. Having spent three years living in Hawaii as well as two previous jobs in Mississippi and Alabama, Vernons travels have led him on adventures far away from here. He'll be at Jody's Pub on Forest Avenue on May 13 and the Wild Goose on Forest Avenue on May 14. The return. Maybe 7-11. And he also developed an endearing love for his stepfather, a man he resented greatly during his early years. Disappearing history and the natural world reclaiming it, Nat Turners Skull; A Grisly Mystery Nearly Two Centuries in the Making, Forgotten Asylums; A Solemn History of Mental Health, Its been 190 years since Nat Turners Rebellion. OU coach Tim Langford and Turner himself credited Sooner vertical jumps coach Jerel Langley for his long work with Turner. On his off-time, its likely that hes trying one of the areas new restaurants, attending a live show, or training on the soccer field. The letter states that the skull was given to Franklins grandfather, Albert Gallatin Franklin, a physician in Richmond, Virginia, around 1900 by a female patient who inherited it from her fatherone of the doctors who handled Turners body after he was executed. Can we bring a species back from the brink? Many of them had been alive during the attacks. You can contact him at benswenson@cox.net. I was doing everything I could to send money back home. I've been through a lot. He won the Big 12 Indoor High Jump title last month. "I found a 10-pound weight in the weight room, unlaced my shoe, and tied it around my waist under my pants on weigh-in day.". 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. All rights reserved. On the other hand, one of Turner's assistant coaches encouraged him to focus on his grades in college -- a message that Turner interpreted differently. That gave him the confidence to believe in what theyre doing right now.. His legacy is complex diminished in death to ornaments, and lauded then and now as a freedom fighter. He wants to win championships. I had that moment. Turner was born the property of a prosperous small-plantation owner in a remote area of Virginia. Here we go again! The local militia quelled the uprising within 48 hours, but Turner managed to elude his pursuers. Mini Bio (1) * Vernon M. Turner was born January 6th 1967, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. Turner's football memories stretch back to his Pop Warner League games at Clove Lakes Park and a youth coach, Bill Thatcher, who had the wisdom to reach out to the youngster's family and encourage Turner's athletic abilities. If the tests confirm it to be his, it will be buried next to his descendants. See what I mean about the mental side? Its not hard to find Southampton residents who refuse to speak to strangers about the event. Turner, however, felt like his trust had been violated. You're only 15 years old right now, but I'm almost 50. Other than the Rebecca Vaughn House in Courtland, the homes associated with the rebellion have been neglected, nearly all fallen into ruin. A world contender. Then he transferred to Arkansas. ), For me, the skull in and of itself is a very symbolic and emotional reference point, said Aguirre, who like Wood lives in Maryland. I dont know if I was tired. It becomes clear that despite her lifestyle, Turner's mother played a pivotal role in his development with some real "tough-love." White people killed at least 13 black people during the next two weeks. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. He writes profoundly of his deep love for his mother, and tells of the day when at the age of 11 he ran home from PS 35 only to find his mother in the bathroom with a needle in her arm. The Denver Broncos picked up the phone, and Turner was heading to Colorado to join the likes of John Elway and Shannon Sharpe. This memoir is a brutally honest and inspiring look back on the life of one of Staten Island's greatest football heroes. Turner broke the news to his siblings and they cried not because he had realized his goal of becoming a professional football player, but because they knew they were going to be taken care of and able to stay together. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. In 2010, Turner released his self-published autobiography "The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play" and is currently working on a followup self-help book. He didn't quit, but he continued to struggle with his own self-esteem throughout his youth. "I didn't even wanna play quarterback, that's a sissy position," quipped Turner. All of these elements converge in David Grann's upcoming book, "The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder.". "My purpose is to help as many people as I can before I join my mom, dad, and sister. Turner still isnt pain free but says the pain is much more manageable. He called his high school coach and said he was turning pro. Dealing with pain and getting back into competitive shape has been a struggle. Returning home to Raleigh and helping the community he cares for so deeply prepare for impending severe weather has emerged as one of the unique highlights of Vernons career. The second option wasnt even on the table. Hurricanes are so massive and can grab the attention of a nation as they make landfall. My mom died when I was a sophomore in high school. Limited Edition copies of "The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play" are available through his website). While with Tampa in 1994, Turner made history -- becoming the first Bucs player to return a punt for a touchdownagainst one of his former teams, the Lions. Turner, a phenom when he was coming out of Yukon High School, How risky strategy propelled Oklahoma State's Taylor Roe to national title, Five things to know about the Sooners' first-round opponent, David Sandlin's 'outstanding' outing highlights bounce-back week for Sooners, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He put on fifteen pounds of muscle and dropped his 40-yard dash time down from 4.5 to 4.3. Id been hurting for over a year, he said. "I told him when I turn pro I'm going to buy you a car. He felt he was being pushed away from classes he wanted to take, and being interested in sciences, he didn't feel comfortable with that. He piled up 1,257 yards during the 1988 season, capturing championship game MVP honors -- Turner finished his career fourth in school history in rushing yards. Turner probes deep into his soul, however, to reveal other secrets. He owned an office furniture installation business in North Carolina, moved into the tire manufacturing business, and currently works in the oil refining industry in Houston, Texas. "The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play!" Then going into my senior year, my aunt called and said she couldnt take care of my brothers and sisters anymore. Turner played college football for CarsonNewman College, and then professionally for the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. Move ': How risky strategy propelled Oklahoma State 's Taylor Roe to title! 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