Doug Turley

Turley was born on November 25, 1918, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playert/turl00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Doug Turley Stats|access-date=August 4, 2023|archive-date=August 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804231032/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playert/turl00200.html|url-status=dead}} He attended Nanticoke High School and was a standout four-sport athlete, playing baseball, track, basketball and football, and was named All-Scholastic in the latter two.{{Cite web|url=https://www.luzernecountysportshalloffame.com/portfolio_page/douglas-turley/|publisher=Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame|title=Douglas Turley}} He set the Wyoming Valley record in shotput in 1936 and won the Rogers Memorial Tournament with the Nanticoke Reds basketball team in three consecutive years (1937–1939), additionally being the Nanticoke Red Country League champion from 1937 to 1939.

Turley began attending St. Thomas College (now known as the University of Scranton) in 1936, playing for the freshman sports teams and being described as the "star" of the freshman football squad under coach Pop Jones.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader-the-evening-n/129448561/|newspaper=Wilkes-Barre Times Leader / Evening News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 23, 1936|page=17|title=Doug Turley, Nanticoke, On Tommies Quint}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader/129448707/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1936|page=18|title=St. Thomas Cagers Ragged In Practice}} {{Open access}} He first saw varsity action as a sophomore in 1937, and competed with Carl Tomasello for playing time at the "wing" position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune/129448987/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1937|page=12|title=Husky Sophs Threaten to Dislodge St. Thomas Varsity Regulars}} {{Open access}} He fractured a bone in his wrist early in the season but continued playing, reportedly turning in his best performances afterwards according to The Tribune.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune/129449173/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 9, 1937|page=14|title=Tommies Rest After Triumph Over Canisius}} {{Open access}} In a game against Saint Joseph's, Turley returned a blocked punt 12 yards for what would be the game-winning touchdown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader/129449274/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 18, 1937|page=18|title=8,000 Fans See Tommies Beat Rivals}} {{Open access}} St. Thomas finished the football season with a final record of 6–1–1.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1937|website=College Football Data Warehouse|title=Team Records Game by Game: 1937 - Scranton (PA)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919074205/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1937 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |via=Wayback Machine}} Turley also saw action for the varsity basketball team that year as a reserve, with one newspaper writing that he shows "remarkable improvement."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader-the-evening-n/129449536/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 29, 1937|page=12|title=Nanticoke Boy To See Action With Tommies}} {{Open access}}

Turley continued playing for the varsity football team as a junior in 1938, being in addition to a two-way starting end, the team's placekicker at times.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune/129450134/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 26, 1938|page=13|title=U. of Scranton Displays Power in Opener, Routing St. Francis, 32-0}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader/129450277/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 19, 1938|page=19|title=Turley Makes Strong Bid For Tomcats}} {{Open access}} He helped them finish with an overall record of 7–2.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1938|website=College Football Data Warehouse|title=Team Records Game by Game: 1938 - Scranton (PA)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919080023/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1938 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |via=Wayback Machine}} In 1939, Turley was one of only two starters from the prior year to return to Scranton (having been renamed that year from St. Thomas), along with Carl Tomasello.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune/129450496/|newspaper=The Scranton Times-Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1939|page=19|title=Tommies To Report Tuesday}} {{Open access}} He served as a team captain and led them to an undefeated record of 7–0–2.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune/129450587/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 30, 1939|page=15|title=Doug Turley to Captain Tom-Cats This Evening|author=Feldman, Chic}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1939|website=College Football Data Warehouse|via=Wayback Machine|title=Team Records Game by Game: 1939 - Scranton (PA)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919052329/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_discontinued.php?teamid=2931&year=1939 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 }} Turley graduated in June 1940.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader-the-evening-n/129451119/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 7, 1940|page=23|title=16 Athletes To Graduate At Scranton}} {{Open access}}

After going unselected in the 1940 NFL draft, Turley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader/129450828/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 11, 1940|page=15|title=Doug Turley Signs To Play Football For Pittsburgh Bucs}} {{Open access}} They had received suggestions to do so from Turley's Scranton coach Tom Davies, as well as from coaches who had opposed him, including Red Edwards (Saint Vincent) and Joe Bach (Niagara). He was released by the Steelers on September 9.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionst/turl00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Doug Turley NFL Transactions|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805002930/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionst/turl00200.html|url-status=dead}} Turley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on July 17, 1941, but was released on September 3. Afterwards, he joined the minor league Wilmington Clippers of the American Association (AA), playing all nine games, five as a starter, while helping them win their only league championship.{{Cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf |date=1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326042625/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |title=Nothing minor about it |first=Bob |last=Gill |pages=1{{ndash}}10 |work=The Coffin Corner |volume=12 |issue=2 |publisher=Professional Football Researchers Association}} Wilmington became an independent team in 1942, due to the AA suspending as a result of World War II, and were considered the best pro football team outside of the NFL.{{Cite book|url=http://www.greatdelawaresports.com/football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223023821/http://www.greatdelawaresports.com/football|archive-date=December 23, 2021|title=The Great(er) Delaware Sports Book: Second Edition|author=Gelbert, Doug|section=Football|publisher=Cruden Bay Books|date=April 10, 2016|isbn=9781935771326}} Turley appeared in all nine games, eight as a starter, for the 1942 Clippers, contributing to their 8–0–1 record that included wins of over 28 points in all but the season finale, when they tied the Philadelphia Eagles 21–21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1942wil.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1942 Wilmington Clippers}}

Turley sat out the 1943 season as the Clippers also suspended due to the war.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129451693/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 13, 1986|page=74, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129451751/ 75]|title=Seven chosen for Delaware Hall of Fame|author=Zabitka, Matt|author-link=Matt Zabitka}} {{Open access}} He was head coach of the semi-professional Wilmington Arrows during the year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129453706/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 2, 1943|page=28|title=Clipper Mates Rival Coaches}} {{Open access}} The NFL held what was described as a "peculiar 'hat trick' drafting scheme" in 1944 in which former American Association players were picked, and Turley ended up being sent to the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web|url=http://www.desports.org/inductees/1986/|publisher=Delaware Sports Hall of Fame|title=1986 Inductees}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129454179/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 28, 1944|page=16|title=Grid League Drafts Clippers; Michaels 'Eyes' Wrestling|author=Greenstein, Ben}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/129455962/|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 18, 1946|page=17|title=Know Your Ram and Redskin Pro Football Stars}} {{Open access}} He signed with them at the start of July and ended up making the final roster.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/scrantonian-tribune/129454315/|newspaper=Scrantonian Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 2, 1944|page=24|title=Doug Turley Signed By Washington Redskins|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129454395/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1944|page=26|title=18 Former Clippers In National League}} {{Open access}} Turley appeared in a total of seven games on the year, posting eight receptions for 112 yards with one touchdown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurlDo20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Doug Turley Stats}} His one score came in a 42–20 win over Card-Pitt and was a 35-yard pass thrown by Sammy Baugh, which would be the longest play of Turley's career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TurlDo20/touchdowns/1944/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Doug Turley 1944 Touchdown Log}}

Turley had his best season in 1945, helping the Redskins reach the NFL Championship Game while totaling 17 catches for 185 yards and one score in 10 games, eight of which he started.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129455233/|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 29, 1985|author=Zabitka, Matt|author-link=Matt Zabitka|title=Ex-NFL player recalls days of little pay, big fun}} {{Open access}} He later recalled the championship in an interview with The News Journal's Matt Zabitka:

We played that game [won by the Rams 15–14] in subzero weather. It was 4-below zero. The field was frozen. It was so cold, the bands couldn't play. Their instruments were frozen. And, in those days, they had cameras with oil in them, and they became inoperable. Never forget that one. I played all but 30 seconds of the entire game. That's going both ways, and without all that protective equipment players wear today.

The Los Angeles Times named Turley Washington's most outstanding end during the 1945 season and reported that for his "quiet, unassuming way," he was one of the most popular members of the team. End coach Wayne Millner said that "[Turley's] not spectacular, but he's the most reliable end the Redskins have. He's the one guy certain of making the club. I want to see the rest under fire before passing judgement on them."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/129456107/|newspaper=Washington Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 22, 1946|page=19|title=Turley, Former Miner, Is Making Good in Big Way as Redskin End|author=Atchison, Lewis F.}} {{Open access}} He played nine games in the 1946 season, four as a starter, and had six catches for 105 yards with no scores.

Turley was pursued by the Wilmington Clippers (having returned to the AA from their suspension) and a team in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1947, but ultimately remained with Washington.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/129456692/|newspaper=Washington Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 21, 1947|page=55|title=Skins' Turley Looking To Other Grid Jobs; Marshall Helps|author=Atchison, Lewis F.}} {{Open access}} He played 12 games in the 1947 season, three as a starter, and caught six passes for 95 yards and one touchdown. He played his final season with Washington in 1948, playing 12 games, four as a starter, and making eight catches for 111 yards. He additionally scored a touchdown off a 33-yard fumble return.

Turley left the Redskins in 1949 to accept a position as player-coach with the Wilmington Clippers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129457743/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 18, 1949|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129457844/ 36]|title=Doug Turley Named Coach Of Clippers Football Team|author=Levin, Marty}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129458050/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 15, 1949|page=12|author=Cartwright, Al|author-link=Al Cartwright|title=A La Carte}} {{Open access}} He became the fifth head coach in the team's history (preceded by Dutch Slagle, Walt Masters, George Veneroso and Les Dodson). Bob Hainlen was announced as an assistant coach and the team began the season with an exhibition on September 1.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129458140/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 10, 1949|page=15|title=Clippers Seek First Exhibition Victory Tomorrow at Erie}} {{Open access}} The Clippers lost their first exhibition to the Hawaiian Warriors, 21–0, before winning their second against the Erie Vets, 21–20.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1949aflwil.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1949 Wilmington Clippers (AFL)}} Wilmington opened the regular season with a 38–0 loss to the Richmond Rebels and then defeated the Jersey City Giants 6–0. The Clippers lost their third game, against the Paterson Panthers, by a score of 27–0, after which the team president made a stunning and unprecedented move to demote Turley to being an assistant and replace him with Larry Weldon.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129458705/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 5, 1949|page=27|title=Weldon Replaces Turley As Clippers' Head Coach}} {{Open access}} He quit the team the day afterwards, subsequently joining the Bethlehem Bulldogs in a playing role.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129458760/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 6, 1949|page=43|title=Doug Turley Quits Fleet}} {{Open access}} Weldon made his coaching debut against Bethlehem on the day of Turley's signing, and the Bulldogs defeated the Clippers by a score of 22–7.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129458917/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 12, 1949|page=8|title=Clippers and Bethlehem A. L. Foes Here Tonight|author=Cartwright, Al|author-link=Al Cartwright}} {{Open access}} With Bethlehem, Turley was switched from being an end to a tackle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news/129459143/|newspaper=The News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 19, 1949|page=30|title=Paterson Seeks Revenge Win Tonight}} {{Open access}} He appeared in five games for the Bulldogs, three as a starter, before retiring. He finished his career with 50 games in the NFL, 19 as a starter, and 45 catches for 608 yards and four total touchdowns, along with 23 games played in minor leagues with Wilmington and Bethlehem.

Turley also played several seasons of semi-professional basketball and baseball as well as some professional basketball.{{Cite web|url=https://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/doug-turley/|website=Pro Basketball Encyclopedia|title=Doug Turley}} In the 1941–42 season, he was a member of both the Pusey & Jones basketball team with several Clippers teammates, as well as St. Nicholas' in the C. Y. O. Basketball League.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129453272/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 26, 1942|page=18|title=Clippers Help Pusey's Debut In Shop League}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129453372/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 17, 1942|page=16|title=St. Nicholas' Scores Win—Harbert Takes Golf Playoff}} {{Open access}} In 1943, he played baseball for Pusey & Jones.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129453507/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 8, 1943|page=20|title=Semi-Pro Loop Top Nines Win To Retain Edge}} {{Open access}} Turley played basketball in the C. Y. O. League with Sacred Heart at the start of the 1943–44 season, before later joining St. Ann's.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129453788/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 7, 1943|page=18|title=Sacred Heart, Tommies Win C. Y. O. Games}} {{Open access}} He was named to the league all-star squad.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/129454002/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 10, 1944|page=14|title=C. Y. O. All-Stars To Meet Officers' Quint}} {{Open access}}

In the 1944–45 season, Turley played for St. Ann's and for the professional Wilmington Blue Bombers of the American Basketball League (ABL).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/129455570/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 10, 1945|page=12|title=2nd Ferrying Group And St. Ann's Score C. Y. O. Series Wins}} {{Open access}} With Wilmington, he appeared in two regular season games and one playoff match, totaling one field goal and one free throw for three points in the regular season, while having two points off of a field goal in the playoffs. In the 1945–46 season, Turley played with a team in Nanticoke, scoring 70 total points on 16 free throws and 27 field goals while playing 17 games. In 1946–47, he played for a team known as the Washington Redskins, partly made up of players from the football team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch/129456604/|newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 19, 1947|page=26|title=Barons To Engage Redskin Quintet Here Today}} {{Open access}} He joined the Sunbury Mercuries in 1947–48.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item/129456848/|newspaper=The Daily Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 15, 1947|page=15|title=Mercuries, Washington Pro Five Collide Here Tonight}} {{Open access}}

Turley married Sylvia Maga in November 1940 and had two children with her.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilkes-barre-times-leader-the-evening-n/129451253/|newspaper=Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 30, 1940|page=11|title=Miss Sylvia Maga Weds Doug Turley}} {{Open access}} He moved to Delaware when he joined the Clippers, and lived there for the rest of his life. He later coached St. Elizabeth's in the C. Y. O. League to five championships. He worked for DuPont until retiring in 1981. Turley was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1986,{{Cite web|url=http://www.desports.org/inductees/1986/|title=Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Wilmington, Delaware - 1986|website=www.desports.org}} and into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He died on November 1, 1992, in Delaware, at the age of 74.

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Category:1918 births

Category:1992 deaths

Category:People from Nanticoke, Pennsylvania

Category:Players of American football from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Category:American football ends

Category:Scranton Royals football players

Category:Washington Redskins players

Category:Wilmington Clippers coaches

Category:Wilmington Clippers players

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players

Category:Philadelphia Eagles players

Category:Scranton Royals men's basketball players

Category:Baseball players from Delaware

Category:Basketball players from Delaware

Category:American Basketball League (1925–1955) players

Category:American Association (American football) players

Category:American Association (American football) coaches