James Bayard Turner (March 28, 1941 – June 10, 2023) was an American professional football placekicker who played in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets and Denver Broncos. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Jets and a member of their Super Bowl III championship team. Turner was chosen for the AFL All-Time Second-team and the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.

Career

Turner was born and raised in Martinez, California. He graduated from John Swett High School in 1959. He played for the football team as a quarterback and was also a freestyle swimmer. Turner attended Utah State University, where he played college football for the Utah State Aggies as both a quarterback and placekicker. The Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) selected Turner in the 19th round of the 1963 NFL draft. He signed with the Redskins, but failed a tryout with the Redskins and was released. Turner signed with the New York Jets of the American Football League (AFL) as a free agent in 1964. He set then-league records with single-season totals of 145 points and 34 field goals in 1968. Turner kicked for nine points, making two of three field goals, in the AFL Championship Game win over the Oakland Raiders. He had 10 points in the Jets' 16–7 defeat of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1968 and 1969. Following the 1970 season the Jets traded Turner to the Denver Broncos for Bobby Howfield. He scored four points in the Broncos' losing effort in Super Bowl XII against the Dallas Cowboys, connecting on a 47-yard field goal and an extra point following a touchdown run by Rob Lytle. Turner finished his career with 304 of 488 (62%) field goals and 521 of 534 extra points, giving him 1,439 total points. Upon his retirement, he ranked second in field goals in NFL history, with only a fellow AFL veteran in George Blanda having more; Turner now ranks in the top 35 for kickers four decades after his career ended. He did not miss a game, playing in 228 consecutive contests. His single-season scoring record was broken by Mark Moseley in 1983, and Ali Haji-Sheikh broke Turner's field goal record the same season. He was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988 and the Utah State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Broadcasting career

In 1981, Turner joined NBC Sports as a color commentary sportscaster.

Personal life

Turner's wife, Mary Kay, is from El Sobrante, California. They had three daughters and lived in Arvada, Colorado. Turner died in Arvada, Colorado from heart failure on June 10, 2023, at the age of 82.