Michael Turner life and biography

Michael Turner is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Originally selected in the fifth round (154th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft. Signed by the Falcons as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2008.

CAREER

In 86 career games (28 starts), has totaled 782 carries for 3,827 yards (4.9 avg.), 33 touchdowns and a career long rush of 83 yards, which went for a touchdown. Topped the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the first time in his career in 2008 while earning his first Pro Bowl selection. In two seasons in Atlanta (2008-09), the Falcons are 10-2 when Turner rushes for over 100 yards in a game. Moved into ninth place on the Falcons career rushing list with 2,570 yards from 2008-09. Tied the franchise record with seven consecutive games with a touchdown in 2009. Posted the second-highest average gain for a single season in 2009 with a 4.89 mark on 178 carries. Totaled three consecutive 100-yard games from Weeks 8-10 of 2009, which ranks tied for third in franchise history. Finished with 1,699 rushing yards and 1,740 yards from scrimmage in 2008, which both ranked second in the NFL behind Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson. His rushing total also ranked third in a season in franchise history. Set a team record with 17 rushing touchdowns in a single-season (2008). Named a 2008 Associated Press first-team All-Pro. Has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on three occasions and Fed Ex Ground Player of the Week three times as well, dating back to 2008. Set a new Atlanta single-game rushing record with 220 yards against Detroit in his Falcons debut (Week 1) and posted the second-highest total with 208 yards against St. Louis in the season finale. Tied the team record (T.J. Duckett, 2004) with four touchdowns in one game against Carolina in Week 12 of 2008. Turner's 102 points in 2008 ranked second in the league among non kickers. Ranked first in the NFL in first downs in 2008 with 86. Was named to USA Todayís All Joe Team for his performance in the 2006 campaign. Before joining the Falcons, was responsible for three of San Diegoís longest 11 rushes in team history (83, 74 and 73 yards) despite playing a back-up role behind perennial Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

2009 (FALCONS)
Started in 11 games, missing five due to an ankle injury. Totaled 178 carries for 871 yards (4.9 avg.), 10 touchdowns and five receptions for 35 yards. Posted his first 100-yard rushing game of the season (105) on 28 carries with one touchdown against Carolina (9/20). Logged a season-high three rushing touchdowns on 22 carries for 97 yards at San Francisco (10/11). His three TDs marked the third time in his career that he tallied three or more in a single game. Registered 151 rushing yards on 20 carries with one touchdown at New Orleans (11/2). Recorded a season-high 166 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns against Washington (11/8). One of his scores came on a 58-yard run in the fourth quarter. Tallied his third consecutive 100-yard contest with 111 yards on nine carries in the first half at Carolina (11/15). Left the game at halftime with an ankle injury.

2008 (FALCONS)
Paced a Falcons rushing attack which finished second in the NFL with 376 carries for 1,699 yards (4.5 avg.), 17 touchdowns and a long rush of 70 yards. Also contributed with six receptions for 41 yards en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. Recorded eight 100-yard games, which was the third-most ever for the Falcons in a single season. Totaled four multiple-touchdown games. The Falcons were 8-0 when Turner rushed for 50 yards or more in the first half. Posted Atlanta's fourth-longest rush in franchise history with a 70-yard rush against St. Louis in the season finale. Finished second in the league in fourth quarter rushing with 74 rushes for 389 yards and five touchdowns. Led the NFL in rushes of 10-plus yards (45) and carries (376). Logged a franchise and career single-game high 220 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 22 carries in his Falcons debut vs. Detroit (9/7). His 220 rushing yards led a Falcons ground attack that amassed a franchise single-game high 318 total yards. Turner's total was the most in NFL history by a player in his first game with a new team and fell 30 yards short of tying an opening day rushing record held by O.J. Simpson (250 yards in 1973). Posted a team-high 104 rushing yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns vs. Kansas City (9/21). Registered 26 rushing attempts for 121 yards with one touchdown at Green Bay (10/5). Recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season at Oakland (11/2) with 139 yards on a career-high 31 carries. Tallied 25 carries for 81 yards with two touchdowns vs. Denver (11/16). Tied single-game franchise highs in rushing touchdowns (four) and points scored (24) vs. Carolina (11/23) by recording 117 rushing yards on 24 carries. Also topped 1,000 rushing yards for the season and the first time in his career. Carried the ball 31 times for 120 yards at San Diego (11/30). Registered 61 rushing yards on 18 attempts with one touchdown at New Orleans (12/7). His rushing score tied Jamal Anderson for the most rushing scores (14) in a single-season in team history. Logged his third-highest rushing total of the season with 152 yards on 32 attempts against Tampa Bay (12/14). Added his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, which set a franchise record. Also caught two passes for 30 yards, both of which went for his first two receiving first downs of the season. Posted 208 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries against St. Louis (12/28) to mark his second 200-yard game this season and set the second-highest rushing total in a single game in franchise history. Turner also finished the regular season with 1,699 yards, which ranks third in a single-season in franchise history. His 17 rushing touchdowns at the end of the regular season were the most in franchise history. In his first career playoff start in a Wild Card contest at Arizona (1/3/09), totaled 18 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown in the second quarter. Also caught one pass for seven yards.

2007 (CHARGERS)
Compiled 71 rushes for 316 yards (4.5 avg.) in 16 games while contributing with a 74-yard touchdown scamper and 16 receiving yards. Totaled 10 rushes for 41 yards in the season opener against Chicago (9/9). Posted a career-high 147 yards on 10 carries while adding his second longest career rush on a 74-yard touchdown run at Denver (10/7). Set a season high with 11 rushes for (42 yards) in the season finale at Oakland (12/30).

2006 (CHARGERS)
Saw action in 13 games and set career highs in rushes (80) and rushing yards (502) while adding two touchdowns and 47 receiving yards. Tallied second career 100-yard game with 13 rushes for 138 yards (10.6 avg.) and his third longest rush (73 yards) vs. Tennessee (9/17). Posted his second touchdown of the season while adding 28 yards against St. Louis (10/29). Notched his second highest rushing total of the season (58 yards) against Kansas City (12/17) and tied the mark versus Arizona in the season finale (12/31).

2005 (CHARGERS)
Played in all 16 games for the first time in his career while recording 57 rushes for 335 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Totaled a season-high 11 rushes for 44 yards at New England (10/2). Scored his first touchdown of the season against Buffalo (11/20) while adding 48 rushing yards. Posted his first career 100-yard game (113) on eight carries and set a career long rush of 83 yards for a touchdown, the third longest rush in club history, and the longest since 1962 at Indianapolis (12/18).

2004 (CHARGERS)
In his rookie season, saw action in 14 games with one start while contributing with 20 rushes for 104 yards (5.2 avg.). Made his first career start in the season finale at Kansas City (1/2) while registering a career-high 15 carries for 87 yards (5.8 avg.).

COLLEGE

Left Northern Illinois ranked 13th on the NCAA's all-time rushing list with 4,941 yards, which was also the second-highest yardage total in Mid-American Conference annals. Rushed for 238 yards in his very first college start versus Eastern Michigan and once logged a freshman record 52 carries (for 281 yards) in a game against Central Michigan. Finished second in the nation in rushing as a junior (1,915 yards) and senior (1,648 yards) while leading all freshman rushers (983 yards) in the nation. Shattered the school record for all-purpose yards (6,038) while finishing second in school history in points scored (288). Was named second-team All-America by the NFL Draft Report as a junior and senior and earned first-team All-MAC honors in his final two seasons.

PERSONAL

Attended North Chicago High School in North Chicago, Illinois. An all-county selection by Waukegan News-Sun and all-state by Champaign News-Gazette. Was named offensive player of the year and team MVP as a junior and senior. Born in Waukegan, Illinois.

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