INSIDER INFORMATION:
O.K. the Pre-Season that we’ve been talking about over the last few weeks has come to an end and we have to cut the squad from 72 to 53. Who’s job is that?
This is the job of the “TURK”. I haven’t heard that TERM or SAYING used much lately but in the ’80s the TURK was the guy that made the call to you, to come see the coach…and “by the way” bring your playbook (bad news).
Every team has a TURK. He’s the guy that calls you on the phone to come meet him with your playbook on the way to see the head coach who has to relay the bad news that, like Donald Trumps says, “you’re fired.”
It’s a bad day — think about it. Your dreams are crushed in a phone call. You made it through training camp to the last and final cut and the phone rings. Kind of reminds you of a horror show…stay away from the phone.
Funny story. I was talking to a buddy this morning who played 12 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gary Dunn, about final cuts. He said they even had the “SON OF TURK.” Their TURK’s son would accompany his dad and take the playbook from their players on the way to the coaches meeting so they labeled him the “SON OF TURK.” I had to laugh.
Gary said they used to walk by the TURK and SON OF TURK and make the sign of the cross and say,”stay back, stay away!!!!”
TIP: Never make eye contact with the TURK, it could cost you. :o)
The sad thing about the story is it’s the end of many years of hopes and dreams for a lot of guys. Some will be back next year for another try and some will get a shot with other teams and some will even get called back later in the year if there are injuries on the Broncos.
But it’s a tough day regardless. I feel for the guys.
Coop
Thank you for your insights. I was wondering what sort of person would want the role of the TURK? I can just imagine in the financial world it would be like seeing the auditor, or the red envelope of lay offs. We feel for the fella’s too. Especially when we lose someone we’ve followed. For example in this cut Kyle Johnson. But, as they say. Sometimes it simply is business.
32 Teams X 53 roster spots is only 1,696 NFL Players.
We sometimes forget that there are so few guys in the league when you think about the number of colleges across the country that have football teams. It’s also tough on the fans, if you’ve been to camp and you’re rooting for a young player that caught you or your kids eye.
It’s a tough business.
I tell kids all the time to get good grades, play for the love of the sport and if it all works out, that’s great. If you actually make a team you are one-tenth of one percent that did. So while you’re trying to make it become a good citizen and get the grades and use everyday as a learning experience because the game of football has a lot of life learning experiences with ups and downs and winning and losing that you can expect to encounter.
Now……let’s go get the Bills and get ONE IN A ROW!!!
I have to say Kyle was the biggest surprise for me and kind of sad. Having had brief conversations with Kyle, he’s a really cool, down to earth guy. Hopefully he’ll catch on somewhere else.
It’s obvious that the NFL isn’t for everyone and only the very elite make it. But then again if it were easy we wouldn’t watch.
Thanks again Coop for the blog.
Damn will miss Kyle!