Michael Turner (NFL player)

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Michael Turner (NFL player)

Date of birth	February 13, 1982
Place of birth	Waukegan, Illinois
Position(s)	Running back
College	Northern Illinois University
NFL Draft	2004 / Round 5
Team(s)
2004-Present	San Diego Chargers

Michael Turner (born February 13, 1982 in Waukegan, Illinois) is an American football tailback who plays for the San Diego Chargers. His nickname is Michael "The Burner" Turner.

[edit] High School Years

Turner attended North Chicago High School (North Chicago, Illinois) and was a standout in football and track. In football, he was a two-time team MVP, and as a senior, he was also named the team Offensive Player of the Year.

[edit] College and Pro Career

Turner attended Northern Illinois University. In his first college game in 2000, he ran for 230 yards against Eastern Michigan. As a junior, he finished second in the nation with 1,915 yards, including 282 in one game against Western Illinois. He again finished second in the NCAA in rushing in 2003 with 1,648 yards. He left NIU with the school records for rushing yards (4,941), touchdowns (43) and all-purpose yards (6,038). Since his departure from NIU, two records (rushing yards and touchdowns) have been broken by Garrett Wolfe.

The Chargers drafted Turner in the fifth round in 2004. As a rookie, he played mostly on special teams, but started and ran for 87 yards in the regular-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Turner has again spent most of 2005 on the bench as backup to Pro Bowl starter LaDainian Tomlinson. But in the December 18 game against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, Turner came off the bench to run for 113 yards, including a game-clinching 83-yard touchdown.

Since his career started he has rushed for 716 yards and 4 touchdowns on 119 carries (as of Oct. 19, 2006). He also has 4 catches for eight yards. As of the end of the 2005-2006 season Turner's 5.7 yards per carry average is the highest among active players.

Turner has combined with Tomlinson and fullback Lorenzo Neal as TNT, the potent runningback trio of the San Diego Chargers. They were happy to have Turner as a teammate.