The Darius Turner Foundation

The mission of the Darius Turner Foundation is to provide an avenue for youth to learn and practice the mental and physical skills necessary to succeed in life.  It is our belief that the same skill set that enables success in sports leads to success in life.  We strongly believe that we can affect the path taken by at-risk youth by helping them understand the importance of goal setting, work ethic, personal responsibility, team work and respect.  

What we do:

We want to make college and career readiness not only a priority, but we want to make it accessible for those students who don’t have the financial means to continue their education.  We believe in the power of education to close the gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other young Americans.  

 

Some of the assistance that we will provide:

 

• College Scholarships
• SAT/ACT Prep Classes
• SAT/ACT testing fees
• College Application Fees
• Vocational School Scholarships
• Tutoring

 

 

My Story:  As I have had children of my own and reflected upon my life, I have come to realize how differently my life could I have turned out…I attribute where I am today to the effect football and sports in general had on my life.  I was born in Greenville, MS to a single mom and later move to Los Angeles County.  Both areas proved to have separate challenges growing up in, but I weathered the storm and made it through.  Without sports I would almost certainly be dead or in jail.

 

Football provided me with the vehicle to attend college – that was certainly an important springboard to where I am today.  From my perspective, however, that was only the first step in my journey.  Unlike many of the kids of today we did not have the resources to devote to organized sports at a young age.  I started playing sports in the 3rd grade.  My career continued at Warren High school.  I went on to play college football for the legendary coach Don James at the University of Washington.  My collegiate team was a perennial powerhouse – playing in the Rose Bowl 1991, 1992, and 1993.  I was drafted and played in the NFL by the Kansas City Chiefs, I also had the privilege to play for the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Oilers 

 

While this success on the field was a great reward for hard work and countless hours spent in pursuit of excellence, the real reward was all the life lessons I learned on this journey.  I realize many kids will not play high school sports, very few will play at the collegiate level and only a fraction of players will every play for a professional team.  I do believe, however, that these lessons can be learned at any level of participation.  It is my goal to guide young athletes in both the pursuit of excellence in their sport of choice but, more importantly, to provide them will the skills to live productive lives.  My hope is to reach as many at—risk youth as possible through this foundation.