Kyle Turley

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Kyle Turley bigraphy, stories - All-American college football player, professional football player, offensive lineman

Kyle Turley : biography

September 24, 1975 –

Kyle John Turley (born September 24, 1975) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played college football at San Diego State, and was recognized as an All-American. He was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints seventh overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Saints, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. He was an All-Pro selection in 2000.

Turley currently works as a country music recording artist and is a prominent voice in debate over the effects of concussions on the post-career health of NFL players.

Life after football

After retiring from football, Turley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he set his sights on a music career. Turley started Gridiron Records with Tim Pickett. Other acts signed to Gridiron Records include Invitro, Unset, and The Hairbrain Scheme. Turley was influenced by Heavy Metal music. He loved Pantera and Slayer while growing up. Other musical influences are Johnny Cash and Hank III.Rose, Chris "NOLA.com", 9 October 2009.

His debut album, Anger Management, was released by Gridiron Records in 2010. It was co-produced by Turley and Brandon Epps, and includes songs about his football career. He explains that the style of music "power country" is a mix of all rock sub genres and country genres. The track titled, "Anger Management," includes references to the helmet-throwing incident. Anger Management received critical praise since debuting in the top 200 Country albums on iTunes. Part of the proceeds from the album go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund a non-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation, established to provide financial assistance and coordinate social services to dire need retired NFL players who are pioneers of the game and have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America.

In addition to music, Turley has been a participant in several journalistic inquiries into the NFL’s treatment of concussions and overall health of its players. His experiences dealing with the ramifications of his football-related injuries, specifically concussions, were featured prominently in Malcolm Gladwell’s October 2009 article in The New Yorker. As a result of concussions sustained through his career, Turley has a seizure disorder. Turley was also a participant in ESPN’s investigation into the misuse of painkillers by former NFL players.

Turley has criticized former San Diego State coach Brady Hoke for leaving after two seasons to accept the head coaching job at Michigan. Soon after Hoke left in January 2011, Turley sent him a text message saying, "I hope you lose every damn game." The week of San Diego State’s game at Michigan on September 24, Turley said that he was still angry at Hoke and hoped that San Diego State would beat Michigan so that "karma plays its role."

Music touring and appearances

Turley toured with Hank III in early Spring of 2010 to support the album "Anger Management."

Turley has also appeared on Field and Stream’s video series, "The Wild Life with Hank III."

After signing with booking agency, Creative Artists Agency, Turley planned a 2010 Fall tour set.

2011

In September 2011 Turley launched his Gridiron Tail Gate Tour. Playing tail gates and local venues at numerous NFL and college football games, Turley is dedicating his tour to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. Gridiron Records announced that one hundred percent of online sales for his sophomore album single "Fortune and Pain" will go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. Turley is also working with Chicago based, charity minded public relations strategist Christopher Foltz to raise awareness of both the Gridiron Greats and NFL injuries and post career struggles for retirees.

College career

Turley accepted an athletic scholarship to attend San Diego State University, where he played for the San Diego State Aztecs football team from 1994 to 1997. As a senior in 1997, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.