Kevin Turner, the former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles fullback, died on Thursday after his long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
He was 46.
AL.com reports that Turner died at his Vestavia Hills, Ala. home, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his parents, wife, and three children, aged 18, 15 and 12, among others.
Turner was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, after a standout career at the University of Alabama as well as eight seasons in the NFL; three with the Patriots, who made him a third-round draft pick in 1992, and five with the Eagles.
In a 2012 HBO documentary about his life and battle against his disease, "American Man," Turner said he believed there is a direct link between head trauma and ALS.
"I love football, always have, always will," he said. "I know that all these hits to the head have contributed to my diagnosis. I just know it.
"But it could have been avoided, I believe, by just being smarter about it. When you have had a concussion or you are seeing stars and hearing ringing in your head, you've got to report it to the trainers or the medical staff, and you need to take a break."
Turner's eponymous foundation supported "ALS and traumatic brain injury awareness, treatment and protection," just part of his advocacy; he was also co-lead plaintiff in the concussion suit retired players filed against the NFL.
He agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord to research after his death.
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