Scott Turner Holds on to God and to Dream
As a child in North Dallas, Scott Turner dreamt of playing in the National Football League. He told his mother that he would one day play, and he was so sure that his dream was God-given, that it motivated him all the more when faced with the most difficult of times.
The obstacles began early in life. At the age of 10, he was devastated by the divorce of his parents. At that point, he says, he made up his mind to be a "victor and not a victim of circumstances."
After high school, Scott received a scholarship to play football and run track for the University of Illinois. He was doing well athletically and academically until his junior year when he suffered a broken jaw and missed the entire season.
"That was a good time to give up on my dreams and just let it go," Scott said. "It wasn't going according to my plan, but I held on. I said, 'Lord, I believe. Lord, I trust You.'"
After a good year at cornerback as a college senior, he waited for calls from NFL teams, but nothing came. But when some scouts came to campus, his speed—a blistering 4.24 in the 40—aptured their attention. Still, one of his own coaches tried stamping his elation at having run such a great time.
"Turner! Why are you so excited? You are not going to get drafted. You'll never play in the National Football League," the coach yelled. "You only played one year at corner. You're too small."
That April, Scott was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the seventh and final round. He would go on to play for the Redskins for two years before being cut from the team. Scott was surprised but he held on to God and to his dream.
"When God gives you a dream, when God shows you what He's calling you to be, don't give up," he says now. "If it's not going according to your plan, don't give up on your dream, and most definitely, don't give up on God."
Scott was picked by the San Diego Chargers in 1998, and he went on to have a fine career that included a couple of Pro Bowl nominations.
But his life didn't revolve around what happened on the field. Scott was known as a "character guy," one of those players with integrity. He and his wife, Robin, whom he met in college, had long held Bible studies at their home. When Scott was cut by the Chargers, teammates looked to see how he'd handle it. The Chargers would only sign him back if he agreed to a pay cut. Scott knew he had so much more to accomplish, whether on the field or off, and he couldn't leave his teammates. He took the pay cut.
He would end his football career with the Denver Broncos, but he knew God wasn't finished with him.
Scott went on to intern with a Southern California congressman, and was asked to run in a special election to fill the vacant seat of another congressman. Although he did not win the election, he impressed the President of the United States. He was later invited to dine with President George W. Bush, who had watched the campaign and was proud of the character Scott had shown. Scott recalls President Bush telling him, "Thank you for standing for righteousness in a time of darkness."
"I went from being a kid who was insignificant," he said, "people telling me what I could and could not do, telling me that my career was over, saying, 'you're not congressional material; you're not this; you're not that.' But through it all, God had the final say. I went from being obscure and insignificant to a seat at the table with the president of this country."
A highly sought-after motivational speaker, Scott is now enjoying being back home in Texas. He and Robin recently relocated and joined the Prestonwood family.
