Video Part 1 Click Here
Video Part 2 Click Here
Kevin Turner faces a huge battle ahead with ALS, A cruel effect of the disease is losing the ability to speak. When Mark spoke with his lifelong friend who shared with him a wish.In a small mill town in Autauga County, many young men have strapped on the cardinal helmets of the Prattville High School Lions. But only a select few made it to the NFL. Kevin turner #14, also known as KT, is one of Prattville's incredible stories of hope, determination and success.
A star high school running back, University of Alabama great and NFL full back for 8 years, Turner's success has cost him.
"They couldn't pay me enough to do the last two years again." -Kevin Turner
As a result of repeated concussions and brain trauma from the game's physical abuse, his health has begun to fail him. Kevin turner has a form of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a cruel disease that leaves the mind untouched while robbing a person of muscular abilities and function.
An independent minded man, Turner now depends on his family and friends. KT struggles more each day. "In my head, I still try to do things with my hands. You know just look at them, like trying to move my fingers certain ways, things like that. The biggest decline was definitely this year when I had problems holding my head up." Kevin told Mark.
Often optimistic and always positive for those around him, Turner understands what the disease holds in store for him. The father of 3 children, he stays very active in his son's and daughter's lives. His passion as an advocate for ALS also keeps him on the move.
When asked what he wants his legacy to be, Turner said he wants to be known as someone who helped bring awareness as well as a cure to ALS. But more than anything, he wants to be a good dad and a God fearing man.
He started the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise awareness about ALS. Still a fan of the game, Turner realizes the importance of becoming aware of concussions long before they do damage.
"If you get a concussion, you have to rest it just like you do any other injury. That's where I know I didn't do as well as many others." -Kevin Turner
To many of those who grew up around him, he was simply superman.
In 2012, when CBS42 first sat down with Turner, those signs are markedly worse today. Turner uses video to judge his changes and decline. His biggest fear, losing his ability to communicate, losing his voice."It might be a computer talking for me, but by that time I'll get one with a nicer voice than Steven Hawking. I couldn't listen to myself like that. There's got to be a better way. I need one with a little Southern twang." -Kevin Turner
Part II of the story
Kevin Turner faces a huge battle ahead with ALS, A cruel effect of the disease is losing the ability to speak. When Mark spoke with his lifelong friend he shared with him a wish.
Maybe I can get Larry The Cable Guy to say a bunch of words. " -Kevin Turner
With little in the way to help, I was determined to make this happen. After pulling a few strings, I met up with Larry the Cable Guy, who was gracious enough to grant KT's wish.
"My first reaction was, you're darn right. He's a fan of mine and this is happening. It's just unfortunate. Anytime I can help somebody that asked me to do something, if I can do it, I want to do it. So, that's when I heard the story, I said I'm on it!" -Larry the Cable Guy
Without hesitation, Larry rattled off words and phrases that KT could one day use when he'll have to rely on a computer to speak for him.
When Kevin found out what Larry had done for him, his reaction said it all.
You've got to be kidding me! That is incredible. That is the nicest thing." -Kevin Turner
The impression Kevin Turner leaves on people is immeasurable. He's helping make our nation aware of ALS and encouraging the NFL to pay attention to concussions.
Although former players, including Kevin, have reached an historic settlement with the NFL, the damage is already done. Now, through the Kevin Turner Foundation, he's on a mission to raise awareness and fight the disease on all fronts.
"When I started this foundation and things, I was so afraid that everybody would talk about it. I've got a semi big news story that you forget about in six months. One of the things we tried to do is just kind of keep it alive every so often. When I was first diagnosed, I didn't know what it was. I will still talk to strangers today and they either think I'm drunk or stupid. You know ALS, your muscles are atrophied to the point they don't work because there's no signal getting to them." -Kevin Turner
Kevin Turner, former Crimson Tide standout and NFL great, has given so many of us the gift of performing as a gladiator on the gridiron. With failing health, he now faces a future of becoming a hostage in his own body. But, there's no quit in KT never has been and never will be.
For more information on the Kevin Turner Foundation, click here.
From CBS42
Video Part 2 Click Here
Kevin Turner faces a huge battle ahead with ALS, A cruel effect of the disease is losing the ability to speak. When Mark spoke with his lifelong friend who shared with him a wish.In a small mill town in Autauga County, many young men have strapped on the cardinal helmets of the Prattville High School Lions. But only a select few made it to the NFL. Kevin turner #14, also known as KT, is one of Prattville's incredible stories of hope, determination and success.
A star high school running back, University of Alabama great and NFL full back for 8 years, Turner's success has cost him.
"They couldn't pay me enough to do the last two years again." -Kevin Turner
As a result of repeated concussions and brain trauma from the game's physical abuse, his health has begun to fail him. Kevin turner has a form of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a cruel disease that leaves the mind untouched while robbing a person of muscular abilities and function.
An independent minded man, Turner now depends on his family and friends. KT struggles more each day. "In my head, I still try to do things with my hands. You know just look at them, like trying to move my fingers certain ways, things like that. The biggest decline was definitely this year when I had problems holding my head up." Kevin told Mark.
Often optimistic and always positive for those around him, Turner understands what the disease holds in store for him. The father of 3 children, he stays very active in his son's and daughter's lives. His passion as an advocate for ALS also keeps him on the move.
When asked what he wants his legacy to be, Turner said he wants to be known as someone who helped bring awareness as well as a cure to ALS. But more than anything, he wants to be a good dad and a God fearing man.
He started the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise awareness about ALS. Still a fan of the game, Turner realizes the importance of becoming aware of concussions long before they do damage.
"If you get a concussion, you have to rest it just like you do any other injury. That's where I know I didn't do as well as many others." -Kevin Turner
To many of those who grew up around him, he was simply superman.
In 2012, when CBS42 first sat down with Turner, those signs are markedly worse today. Turner uses video to judge his changes and decline. His biggest fear, losing his ability to communicate, losing his voice."It might be a computer talking for me, but by that time I'll get one with a nicer voice than Steven Hawking. I couldn't listen to myself like that. There's got to be a better way. I need one with a little Southern twang." -Kevin Turner
Part II of the story
Kevin Turner faces a huge battle ahead with ALS, A cruel effect of the disease is losing the ability to speak. When Mark spoke with his lifelong friend he shared with him a wish.
Maybe I can get Larry The Cable Guy to say a bunch of words. " -Kevin Turner
With little in the way to help, I was determined to make this happen. After pulling a few strings, I met up with Larry the Cable Guy, who was gracious enough to grant KT's wish.
"My first reaction was, you're darn right. He's a fan of mine and this is happening. It's just unfortunate. Anytime I can help somebody that asked me to do something, if I can do it, I want to do it. So, that's when I heard the story, I said I'm on it!" -Larry the Cable Guy
Without hesitation, Larry rattled off words and phrases that KT could one day use when he'll have to rely on a computer to speak for him.
When Kevin found out what Larry had done for him, his reaction said it all.
You've got to be kidding me! That is incredible. That is the nicest thing." -Kevin Turner
The impression Kevin Turner leaves on people is immeasurable. He's helping make our nation aware of ALS and encouraging the NFL to pay attention to concussions.
Although former players, including Kevin, have reached an historic settlement with the NFL, the damage is already done. Now, through the Kevin Turner Foundation, he's on a mission to raise awareness and fight the disease on all fronts.
"When I started this foundation and things, I was so afraid that everybody would talk about it. I've got a semi big news story that you forget about in six months. One of the things we tried to do is just kind of keep it alive every so often. When I was first diagnosed, I didn't know what it was. I will still talk to strangers today and they either think I'm drunk or stupid. You know ALS, your muscles are atrophied to the point they don't work because there's no signal getting to them." -Kevin Turner
Kevin Turner, former Crimson Tide standout and NFL great, has given so many of us the gift of performing as a gladiator on the gridiron. With failing health, he now faces a future of becoming a hostage in his own body. But, there's no quit in KT never has been and never will be.
For more information on the Kevin Turner Foundation, click here.
From CBS42
