Turk Edwards
Encyclopedia
Albert Glen "Turk" Edwards (September 28, 1907 – January 12, 1973) was an American football
offensive tackle in the National Football League
. He played his entire career for, and eventually became the head coach of, the Washington Redskins
. Edwards was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1969.
at Washington State University
from 1929 to 1931. While there, he helped lead the Cougars to a 9-0 record during the 1930 season and gained an invitation to the 1931 Rose Bowl. Edwards, along with Mel Hein
, became the first All-America
ns selected from Washington State. He was a member of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Theta Chi
Fraternity while at Washington State University.
, the New York Giants
, and the Portsmouth Spartans. He chose the highest bid –- $1,500 for 10 games from the Braves, a team that would later become the Boston Redskins and then move to Washington D.C. in 1937
.
Edwards played for the Braves/Redskins for nine seasons, winning All-NFL honors from major media outlets every year of his career except his last one.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to an injury that did not even occur in a game. Edwards was injured at a coin-tossing ceremony prior to a game against the New York Giants
in 1940
. After calling the coin toss and shaking hands with former teammate Mel Hein (the Giants' captain), Edwards attempted to pivot around to head back to his sideline. However, his cleats caught in the grass and his oft-injured knee gave way, ending his season and ultimately his career.
from 1946
to 1948
. Then after 17 straight seasons with the Redskins, Edwards retired from professional football.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive tackle in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played his entire career for, and eventually became the head coach of, the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. Edwards was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1969.
College career
Edwards attended and played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
from 1929 to 1931. While there, he helped lead the Cougars to a 9-0 record during the 1930 season and gained an invitation to the 1931 Rose Bowl. Edwards, along with Mel Hein
Mel Hein
Melvin Jack Hein was an American Professional Football player for the New York Giants. Hein played fifteen seasons for the Giants and never missed a down due to injury...
, became the first All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
ns selected from Washington State. He was a member of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Theta Chi Fraternity is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North-American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities.-Founding and early years at Norwich:Theta...
Fraternity while at Washington State University.
Professional career
After finishing college, Edwards received offers from three NFL franchises, the recently created Boston BravesWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the Portsmouth Spartans. He chose the highest bid –- $1,500 for 10 games from the Braves, a team that would later become the Boston Redskins and then move to Washington D.C. in 1937
1937 NFL season
The 1937 NFL season was the 18th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Rams joined the league as an expansion team. Meanwhile, the Redskins relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C....
.
Edwards played for the Braves/Redskins for nine seasons, winning All-NFL honors from major media outlets every year of his career except his last one.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to an injury that did not even occur in a game. Edwards was injured at a coin-tossing ceremony prior to a game against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1940
1940 NFL season
The 1940 NFL season was the 21st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins in the NFL Championship Game, 73–0. This game still stands as the most one-sided victory in NFL history...
. After calling the coin toss and shaking hands with former teammate Mel Hein (the Giants' captain), Edwards attempted to pivot around to head back to his sideline. However, his cleats caught in the grass and his oft-injured knee gave way, ending his season and ultimately his career.
Coaching career
Edwards continued with the Redskins as an assistant coach from 1941 to 1945 and then as the head coachHead coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
from 1946
1946 Washington Redskins season
The 1946 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 8-2 record from 1945.-Schedule:-Standings:...
to 1948
1948 Washington Redskins season
The 1948 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 4-8 record from 1947.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
. Then after 17 straight seasons with the Redskins, Edwards retired from professional football.