The Denver Broncos announced the passing of NFL legend Jim Turner on Saturday. Turner was a part of the New York Jets Super Bowl III winning squad. He was 82.
According to reports, Turner died with his loved ones at his side.
Turner, who grew up in California and played college football for Utah State as a kicker and quarterback, joined the Jets in 1964. Turner played until 1970 and helped them win the 1969 Super Bowl.
Turner kicked a trio of field goals plus an extra point to help New York win Super Bowl III, including the record-setting short field goal from 9 yards. The contemporary placement of goalposts at the rear of the end zone ensures that this record will never be broken.
According to the NFL, in 1959, the team entered the American Football League (AFL) under the name Titans of New York. The team changed its name to the Jets after being sold in 1963.
For the first time ever, the Jets qualified for the postseason and participated in the inaugural AFL-NFL championship game, known as the Super Bowl, in 1968. The Jets, led by quarterback Joe Namath, won 16-7 over the Baltimore Colts.
Reports show Turner was sent to Denver in a trade in 1971 and spent the next eight years there. He played in three postseasons total, including two Super Bowls, the last of which was a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Turner retired as the N F L’s all-time number-two scorer with 1,349 points. Turner is currently ranked 31st.
Turner has been inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame and the Utah State Hall of Fame and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice. He kicked 304 field goals, converting on 62.3% of them and 521 of 543 extra point tries before calling it a career in football.
Turner leaves behind his wife, Mary Kay, three children, Alison, Chris, and Lisa, and eight grandkids.
