Biography: Jim Turner, K

Jim Turner
Denver Broncos kicker Jim Turner (15) kicks from the hold of quarterback Don Horn (13) during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Sept. 26, 1971. The Packers defeated the Broncos 34-13 at Milwaukee County Stadium. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Jim Turner, a 1988 inductee into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, ranks as one of the most prolific kickers of all time in professional football.

He never missed a game as a pro and finished with a streak of 228 consecutive appearances, including 130 in nine seasons (1971-79) with the Broncos, for whom he scored 742 points to establish himself as Denver’s all-time scoring leader until Jason Elam passed his mark in 1999.

Turner also ranks behind only Elam in Broncos history in career field goals made (151) and extra points made (283). Turner’s 151 field goals made with Denver from 1971-79 marked the fourth-highest total in the NFL during that period while his 742 points scored were the fifth most in the league over that span.

In 1977, Turner helped Denver post a 12-2 regular-season record to earn the franchise’s first-ever playoff appearance en route to advancing to Super Bowl XII against Dallas.

Turner was a key part of Broncos squads that earned a total of three playoff appearances (1977-79) and two division titles (1977-78). Named the Broncos’ special teams MVP in 1975, Turner joined Denver in 1971 after the club acquired him in a trade from the New York Jets. He played seven seasons for the Jets (1964-70), helping lead the club to a victory in Super Bowl III against Baltimore.

At the time of his retirement, Turner ranked second in NFL career scoring with 1,439 points (currently 23rd) as well as second in field goals with 304 (currently tied for 24th). Turner kicked 521 career extra points (currently 21st in NFL history) and was the fourth player to ever reach the 500 mark.

Before entering the NFL, Turner was a three-time letterman as a quarterback at Utah State University in the early 1960s.