NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Jacksonville Sharks

Sharks Add Veteran Jerry Turner to D-Line

January 16, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release


JACKSONVILLE - The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Wednesday that the team has added a pass rusher with significant AFL experience, as Jerry Turner has been assigned to the team's roster on a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We're excited to add a player with as much experience as Jerry has," Sharks Head Coach Les Moss said. "He has proved himself as a pass rusher in this league and it's great to have his talent on our side."

The 34-year-old Turner (6'3", 265) instantly becomes the Shark player with the longest AFL tenure, as he enters his seventh season in the League. He has recorded a total of 18 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, seven blocked kicks and six pass breakups over the course of his previous six AFL seasons.

Turner is no stranger to Sea Best Field, as he spent each of the past two seasons with the South Division rival Georgia Force. In 2012, Turner made 13 starts for the Force, recording a total of 17.5 tackles (15 solo), led the Force with five tackles for loss and finished second on his team with 4.5 sacks. He finished the 2012 season strong, notching a sack in each of Georgia's final two regular-season games. Turner also played with the Force in 2011, finishing second on the squad with career-high totals of just 7.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Before heading to Georgia, Turner earned an ArenaBowl championship with the Spokane Shock in 2010, that team's first season in the AFL. That season, he racked up five sacks and set a personal best with five forced fumbles.

Turner's history in the AFL goes back farther than any other player on the Sharks' roster, as he made his AFL debut with the Las Vegas Gladiators in 2003. Turner returned to the League in 2007, playing two seasons with the Kansas City Brigade. He established himself as an AFL pass rusher during that 2007 season, recording three sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

Before his AFL career began, Turner spent a number of seasons in af2, playing with the Alabama Steeldogs in 2001, 2002 and 2004. He also logged time with af2's Bakersfield Blitz in 2006.

Turner was a standout at Tennessee Tech University, where he finished with 29 sacks over the course of his four-year career and was a two-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection. Turner is a native of Birmingham, Alabama.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...

Arena Football League Stories from January 16, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Jacksonville Sharks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central