Fallen friend inspires Cowboys' dynamic weapon
When the Cowboys signed former USFL MVP, KaVontae Turpin, it gave them some much-needed speed on their roster. Although Turpin wants to establish himself as a wide receiver, and he did a good job in doing so in a recent joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers, his path to the Cowboys' roster will likely […]
When the Cowboys signed former USFL MVP, KaVontae Turpin, it gave them some much-needed speed on their roster. Although Turpin wants to establish himself as a wide receiver, and he did a good job in doing so in a recent joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers, his path to the Cowboys' roster will likely come from a different avenue.
Turpin talked about how special teams are something he can do in his sleep. Well, when the Cowboys played the Chargers on Saturday night in a preseason matchup, Turpin made it known he wasn't lying as he put on an epic showing in the return game.
After the Chargers took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Turpin fielded the kickoff at the two-yard line. Thanks to the Cowboys' kick return team creating a lane that would rival the open plains on the Serengeti in Africa, highlighted by excellent blocking from tight ends Sean McKeon and Jake Ferguson, Turpin went untouched for a 98-yard touchdown, displaying his unbelievable speed.
Turpin on his explosive return:
"I caught it, went down the lane, made one cut, and I was off to the races," Turpin said.
The fireworks didn't stop there, though. The Cowboys held a 15-10 lead just before halftime when they made the foolish mistake of kicking the ball to Turpin again. After fielding a punt on the 14, Turpin showed his ability to make defenders miss, slip in between tight spaces, change direction and accelerate as he dazzled with another touchdown, this one for 86 yards.
Turpin on his second score:
"On the punt return, I had to make people miss and be shifty," said Turpin.
Turpin's performance made the home of the Chargers sound like a Cowboys' home game and all but locked up his spot on the final 53-man roster. However, after his night was over, Turpin gave some insight into what fueled his big game, and it came from a fallen college teammate.
"This is for my boy Jeff (Gladney). He died before I came to the Cowboys, and the Cowboys were his favorite team," Turpin said. "Once I got comfortable, it was him looking down on me. I’m just blessed to do this for my boy."
Gladney played with Turpin at TCU from 2015 to 2018. Tragically, Gladney and his girlfriend were killed in a car accident in Dallas on May 30 of this year. Gladney was only 25 and his girlfriend was 26.
It's noteworthy that Turpin not only secured a job for this season against the Chargers, but he was also able to pay tribute to a special person in his life that's no longer here. Speaking of special people, someone else close to Turpin gave him some motivation to blow the doors off of Sofi Stadium.
Saturday night was the first time Turpin had ever returned a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same game. He decided to keep both footballs, for his mother.
"I told my mom, the first touchdown I score, I'm going to give her the ball. I guess she's got two [footballs] now," said Turpin.
The Cowboys got their first true road win in the preseason since 2012 against the Chargers and Turpin was the unquestioned MVP of the night. However, knowing the reason that inspired his incredible performance makes it even sweeter.
Feature image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
