Jim Turner, who defied Joe Namath’s assurance that the New York Jets would win Super Bowl III in 1969,passed away on Saturday at his residence in Arvada, Colo. He was 82 years old.
The Jets and the Denver Broncos, the two teams Turner played for, confirmed his death.
Turner had an illustrious professional football career spanning 16 years, with the Jets from 1964 to 1970 and the Broncos from 1971 to 1979. In the 1968-69 season, he set records for kicking 34 field goals and scoring 145 points, a feat only surpassed in 1983. His durability was a key factor in his success, playing in every regular-season and playoff game of his career.
One of Turner’s most memorable games was the Jets’ matchup against the Baltimore Colts on January 12, 1969.
The Colts, belonging to the established National Football League, faced off against the upstart Jets from the American Football League in the Super Bowl. Led by quarterback Johnny Unitas and coach Don Shula, the Colts were considered the favorites after defeating the two-time Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers.
While Unitas and Shula represented the stoic masculinity associated with football, Namath, the Jets’ quarterback, known as Broadway Joe, exuded confidence and swagger. Despite skepticism, Namath played well and won the Most Valuable Player Award. However, it was Turner who emerged as the decisive player, outscoring the entire Colts team.
Turner’s impact was most evident in the third quarter when he kicked two crucial field goals, extending the Jets’ lead to 13-0. In the fourth quarter, Turner made a record-setting 9-yard chip shot field goal, sealing the Jets’ victory. Despite missing two other field goals, the Colts struggled to score, managing only one touchdown.
Namath’s bold prediction proved true as the Jets triumphed over the Colts with a final score of 16-7.
Born on March 28, 1941, in Crockett, California, James Bayard Turner had a successful football career at Utah State before joining the Jets in 1964. He met his wife, Mary Kay Roettger, that same year and they married in 1965. Turner is survived by his wife, three daughters, brothers, sister, and grandchildren.
After a contract dispute, Turner was traded to the Broncos in 1971, leading him to settle in the Denver area. In his later years, he hosted a sports radio talk show.
Turner gained national attention in 1969 when he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, representing the rising influence of dedicated place-kickers in football. He credited his team’s overall strategy and Namath for his prominent role in the Jets’ success.
Jim Turner’s contributions to the game and his record-breaking performances will be remembered in football history.
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