Hornet back is finding daylight

For most running backs a knee injury would make them think about hanging up their cleats.

For Hornets running back Kenny Turner, it was no different after suffering what doctors believed to be a career ending knee injury.

“The most devastating feeling I ever felt in my life,” said Turner. “It did so much to me inside, words cant explain it.”

Being the competitor that he is, Turner told himself that he was not done playing the game that he loves, as he would go through a painful rehab process to get back on the football field.

“He is a beast, straight up a beast,” said Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans running back. “He works harder than anyone I know, even at the level that I play at.”

Turner and Johnson are childhood friends who consider each other brothers; the two stared in the same backfield at Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla.

After Turner suffered the injury, Johnson spent his summer alongside Turner in his quest to get back onto the playing field.

“We worked out, caught footballs, ran, hit the weight room, and a lot of sand dunes,” Johnson said.. “He doesn’t need a whole lot of words of encouragement, he has a big chip on his shoulder and he knows what he has to do.”

Growing up Turner was a multi-sport athlete.  He played little league baseball, shortly after Turner played football and basketball.

Kenny inherited some of his athletic abilities from his father, Kenny Turner Sr. His father was a body builder as well as a track standout. In his high school days Turner Sr. ran a 4.2 40-yard dash.  Kenny’s mother Demisa East also ran track, so athletics were big in the family.

“A lot of my talents came from my father,” Turner said. “He was a standout track runner so the ability was already in me, he still has athletic ability and a nice physique.”

This season as the Hornets starting running back, the 5-10 195  LB Turner has helped the team to a 3-1 record. In Turners four games, on 63 carries he has 382 yards and five touchdowns.

Turners 382 yards on the ground ranks sixth amongst all running backs in Southern California. He is also averaging an eye opening 6.1 yards per carry which is second in Southern California.

Though “KT” as he is known amongst his teammates and close friends can be described as a fierce competitor on the field, off the field Turner can be described as a nice guy and caring peoples person.

“He is a fun and caring guy, he would do anything for anybody,” said East. “He has a very big heart, and is a family person.”

Turner one day wants to help out the needy.

“In the future he wants to feed and provide clothes to the homeless,” said Turner Sr.

Turner hopes get to a division one college, and one day play in the National Football League.