Legendary NFL kicker Jim Turner, who kicked three field goals during the New York Jets' only Super Bowl victory in 1969 and also played for the Denver Broncos for almost a decade, has died at age 82, the Broncos organization announced Monday.
Turner made field goals from 32, 30, and 9 yards during the close 16-7 Super Bowl game, and made the difference between winning and not in the game that quarterback Joe Namath had guaranteed the Jets would win.
Turner also made two Pro Bowls during his career and retired as the NFL's second-leading scorer. He was named the American Football League Player of the Year in 1969.
He also played for the Broncos in 1977 when they appeared in the Super Bowl.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Denver Broncos Ring of Fame kicker Jim Turner," the Broncos said in a statement. "Retiring as the second-leading scorer in NFL history, Jim was instrumental in helping establish the Broncos' winning tradition in the 1970s as a key member of our first Super Bowl team."
"While his competitive spirit and reliability defined him as a player, Jim's dedicated mentorship and support of youth following his career will leave a lasting legacy within our community," the statement continued. "Our hearts go out to Jim's wife, Mary Kay; daughters Lisa, Chris and Alison; and the entire Turner family."
We're deeply saddened by the passing of #BroncosROF K Jim Turner.
Retiring as the second-leading scorer in NFL history, Jim was instrumental in helping establish our winning tradition as a key member of our first Super Bowl team.
Our hearts go out to the entire Turner family. pic.twitter.com/P3Sq9w5Wh4
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 12, 2023
Turner was the first kicker to be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988.
In the 228 games Turner played in during his career, he made 304 field goals and earned 521 extra points. He never missed a game during his 16-year career.
After leaving the NFL, he worked as a broadcaster for both television and radio for many years.
He continued to live in the Denver area and raised his family there.
He also served as an academic coach and mentor in the National Football Foundation’s Play It Smart program at two high schools in Denver, Jefferson High School and Alameda High School. The program mentored kids in at-risk schools.
His wife of 58 years, Mary Turner, said about him, “His legacy speaks for itself. To me and our family, he was just our husband and our father and our grandfather and we will miss him terribly.”
Denver 9 News reported that Turner died of heart failure, surrounded by his family.
