Celebrity Deathwatch: Eric Turner, Oakland Raiders, 31

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

http://cnnsi.com/football/nfl/news/2000/05/28/eric_turner_obit_ap/

Eric Turner dies at 31

Cancer claims the life of Oakland Raiders defensive back

Posted: Monday May 29, 2000 12:40 AM

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland Raiders defensive back Eric Turner,
who denied earlier this month that he was gravely ill, died Sunday. He was
31.

Turner died Sunday afternoon at Los Robles Hospital, according to a nursing
supervisor who declined to give her name. The cause of death appeared to be
complications of abdominal cancer, according to Craig Stevens, medical
examiner at the Ventura County Coroner's office.

Turner, a nine-year veteran out of UCLA, issued a statement through his
agents on May 15 that reports concerning his illness were unfounded.

"I realize people are concerned, but I have chosen to keep this issue within
my family," Turner said in the statement. "Contrary to published reports I
have not lost 70 pounds and am not gravely ill. ... I will make another
statement when my family and I deem it appropriate."

The Raiders had refused to comment on the free safety, who did not attend
the team's minicamp in late April for personal reasons.

The Los Angeles Daily News first reported the story, saying in early May the
former Pro Bowl player has a serious stomach illness.

The newspaper quoted an unidentified Raiders official as saying, "It's a
terrible, terrible situation ... people should really be concerned for this
kid."

"It started out as an ulcer and it's developed into something worse," the
Raiders official told the Daily News.

Several other San Francisco Bay area newspapers also reported that Turner
was ill. The San Jose Mercury News had reported Turner was gravely ill with
intestinal cancer. One source quoted by the newspaper said Turner was
resting at his home near Los Angeles and had lost 70 pounds from his playing
weight of 215.

Turner was the second overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft by the Cleveland
Browns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1994 after tying for the league
lead with nine interceptions, including one he returned 93 yards for a
touchdown.

Turner signed with the Raiders as a free agent before the 1997 season. He
led the team in tackles his first year with 111, but was limited to just six
games in 1998 because of a foot injury and missed the final six games of
last season with a calf injury.

Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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