Doug Turley

Douglas Pershing Turley (November 25, 1918 – November 1, 1992) was an American professional

Early life and education

Turley was born on November 25, 1918, in

Turley continued playing for the varsity football team as a junior in 1938, being in addition to a two-way starting end, the team's placekicker at times.^[10][11] He helped them finish with an overall record of 7–2.^[12] In 1939, Turley was one of only two starters from the prior year to return to Scranton (having been renamed that year from St. Thomas), along with Carl Tomasello.^[13] He served as a team captain and led them to an undefeated record of 7–0–2.^[14][15] Turley graduated in June 1940.^[16]

Professional career

Football

After going unselected in the

Turley sat out the 1943 season as the Clippers also suspended due to the war.[20]^[22] He was head coach of the semi-professional Wilmington Arrows during the year.^[23] The NFL held what was described as a "peculiar 'hat trick' drafting scheme" in 1944 in which former American Association players were picked, and Turley ended up being sent to the Washington Redskins.^[24][25][26] He signed with them at the start of July and ended up making the final roster.^[27][28] Turley appeared in a total of seven games on the year, posting eight receptions for 112 yards with one touchdown.^[29] His one score came in a 42–20 win over Card-Pitt and was a 35-yard pass thrown by Sammy Baugh, which would be the longest play of Turley's career.^[29][30]

Turley had his best season in 1945, helping the Redskins reach the NFL Championship Game while totaling 17 catches for 185 yards and one score in 10 games, eight of which he started.^[29][31] He later recalled the championship in an interview with The News Journal's Matt Zabitka:

We played that game [won by the Rams 15–14] in subzero weather. It was 4-below zero. The field was frozen. It was so cold, the bands couldn't play. Their instruments were frozen. And, in those days, they had cameras with oil in them, and they became inoperable. Never forget that one. I played all but 30 seconds of the entire game. That's going both ways, and without all that protective equipment players wear today.^[31]

The Los Angeles Times named Turley Washington's most outstanding end during the 1945 season and reported that for his "quiet, unassuming way," he was one of the most popular members of the team.^[26] End coach Wayne Millner said that "[Turley's] not spectacular, but he's the most reliable end the Redskins have. He's the one guy certain of making the club. I want to see the rest under fire before passing judgement on them."^[32] He played nine games in the 1946 season, four as a starter, and had six catches for 105 yards with no scores.^[29]

Turley was pursued by the Wilmington Clippers (having returned to the AA from their suspension) and a team in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1947, but ultimately remained with Washington.^[29][33] He played 12 games in the 1947 season, three as a starter, and caught six passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.^[29] He played his final season with Washington in 1948, playing 12 games, four as a starter, and making eight catches for 111 yards.^[29] He additionally scored a touchdown off a 33-yard fumble return.^[29]

Turley left the Redskins in 1949 to accept a position as player-coach with the Wilmington Clippers.

Turley also played several seasons of semi-professional basketball and baseball as well as some professional basketball.[42] In the 1941–42 season, he was a member of both the Pusey & Jones basketball team with several Clippers teammates, as well as St. Nicholas' in the C. Y. O. Basketball League.^[43][44] In 1943, he played baseball for Pusey & Jones.^[45] Turley played basketball in the C. Y. O. League with Sacred Heart at the start of the 1943–44 season, before later joining St. Ann's.^[46] He was named to the league all-star squad.^[47]

In the 1944–45 season, Turley played for St. Ann's and for the professional

Turley married Sylvia Maga in November 1940 and had two children with her.[2]^[51] He moved to Delaware when he joined the Clippers, and lived there for the rest of his life.^[22] He later coached St. Elizabeth's in the C. Y. O. League to five championships.^[24] He worked for DuPont until retiring in 1981.^[22] Turley was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1986,^[52] and into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.^[2][22] He died on November 1, 1992, in Delaware, at the age of 74.^[1][29]

References