The St. Louis Football Cardinals lost another teammate this morning.

Herschel Turner, who played offensive guard and tackle, passed away at the age of 82.

The Cardinals selected 6-foot-3, 230-lb lineman in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft out of the University of Kentucky, where he was an All-American offensive guard and tackle.

As a senior, he was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and participated in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He logged the most minutes played on UK’s 1962 squad, known as The Thin Thirty. Turner was named Sports Illustrated Lineman of the Week on November 10, 1963. He is a member of the inaugural UK Hall of Fame.

Turner played two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and was named the club’s Rookie of the Year in 1964 after starting five games on an injury-depleted offensive line. He received accolades from head coach Wally Lemm after his first start on November 22 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Herschel Turner, whom we had taken off the defensive unit and just starting working at offensive tackle last week, had a grade of well over 90. He is the best of our draft choices last year. He really wants to play.”

In the off-season, Turner fulfilled his six-month commitment for the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Newspapers reported that the nine-week course was “nothing more than a workout” for the well-conditioned lineman. The Army later assigned Turner to Fort Sam Houston as a dental technician. 

In 1965, Turner played special teams and was the Cardinals’ top reserve offensive lineman. Unfortunately, a knee injury in an October loss to the Washington Redskins would not only end his season, but he would also miss the entire year in 1966. On April 15, 1967, the Cardinals traded the Houston, Kentucky native to the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints were confident that Turner’s injury was behind him.

“Turner is big and strong and he can be an extremely important addition to our team,” Saints head coach Tom Fears said. “He has been well coached in both college and the professional ranks and he has an excellent football background. We know of his injury problem last year but our reports indicate this will not be a problem this year. He is young and should have his best football days ahead of him.”

Although Turner failed to make the New Orleans roster, he was credited with helping Saints rookie offensive guard Del Williams, who went on to start 87 games for the team.

‘I will always be indebted to Herschel,” Williams told the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1967. “When I reported to camp I had an awful lot to learn. I didn’t know much about pulling for outside plays and I didn’t know the first thing about picking up the defensive alignments that the pros use.”

“Herschel would stay out there with me for maybe 20 or 30 minutes at a time and help me with my technique and recognition. In fact, I think we pushed an hour on several occasions. Without his help I don’t think I would be starting already.”

“It’s a funny thing, too,” Williams continued. “I really believe the guy didn’t think he was going to make the squad. He knew he didn’t have the speed that was needed. He just wanted to contribute whatever he could.”

Turner would later sign with the Los Angeles Rams, but never played another game in the NFL.

A reporter once asked Turner what position he would like to play. He responded, “It doesn’t matter where you play football.  If you love this game, you have to be willing to play anywhere.”

After football, Turner worked 15 years for the 3M Corporation. He then started his own successful packing and shipping company, which he managed until his retirement.

As we say goodbye to Herschel Turner, we reflect on a life well-lived, marked by kindness and integrity. Whether through his personal relationships or how he touched the lives of his family, friends, and teammates around him, Herschel leaves a lasting impact that will not be forgotten.