52.3 F
Seattle
Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Presented By:

Building Resilience And Character: Sam Turner Jr. Reflects On His West Seattle High Football Experience

By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium

For Sam Turner Jr., a senior receiver and defensive back at West Seattle High School, the past four years have been about more than just football. According to Turner, the experience has helped his confidence to grow as a player, fight through adversity, and get through anything he puts his mind to by putting in the work necessary to do so—all qualities that have helped shape him into the athlete and person he is today.

Turner’s father, Sam Turner, has also seen the growth of his son over the past four years at West Seattle High School and says that he has overcome each challenge he has faced during his football journey with dignity and grace.

“I know he had faced some adversity when the coaches had changed, and transitioning to play on varsity his junior year,” says Turner Sr. “Because of his small stature, many didn’t think that he could play on varsity when he was a sophomore, which I thought was kind of weird because I watched other guys play who weren’t even bigger than my son. But I actually coached him before, and I always tell him that it is not about your size, it is about the size of your heart, and my son has a big heart, so therefore you can do whatever you need to do with a big heart.”

“He is a good kid, humble, respectful, and is just that type of person that when he comes into a place, you can feel that vibe from him,” he added.

The journey hasn’t been easy. For any player, adjusting to a new coaching style midway through high school is a challenge, and Turner Jr. acknowledges that the transition was especially tough. He recalls his freshman season, when the head coach had a tough-love approach, compared to the current head coach’s more relaxed style.

“Coming into my freshman season, my coach at that time was really tough on us, but at the end of the day, he always wanted the best for us,” says Turner Jr. “My coach now, he is very chill and easygoing. As the season progressed and he started to notice that maybe we were not tailored for gameplay, he started to be a little rougher on us to help us be successful, but he too, as a coach, always wants the best for us.”

West Seattle High School’s head football coach, Anthony Stordahl, praises Turner Jr. not only for his athleticism but also for his leadership on the field. Stordahl notes that even with the team’s 4-4 record this season, Turner Jr. has led the players with focus and positivity.

“Sam is probably the most dynamic athlete I’ve ever coached in any sport at any level,” says Stordahl. “He’s really taken on a leadership role this year and understands that the players follow his lead. I always tell him, when he has a good week of practice, the team does too.”

Turner Jr. has embraced this role, becoming a model for the team and working hard to lift up his teammates, no matter the circumstances.

“I’m proud of my team,” he says. “We’ve kept fighting, even after tough games, and although things didn’t always go as planned, we never stopped pushing to finish the season strong. Right now, I’m just focused on winning the last couple of games.”

Jeff Scott, who coached Turner Jr. during his freshman and sophomore years, agrees with Stordahl’s assessment.

“Sam’s been an outstanding athlete over these four years,” Scott says. “Playing varsity these last two years, he’s become one of the top running backs and athletes in the Metro League. He’s exciting, charming, and has all the qualities you want in a football player.”

Turner Jr.’s journey hasn’t been without physical challenges either. Just before this football season, he suffered a fractured ankle—a setback that prevented him from pursuing another athletic passion: track and field. “It was unfortunate because I wanted to run track, but I couldn’t,” he explains. “Luckily, it didn’t really affect my performance in football once the season started, so I was grateful for that.”

Balancing academics with athletics can be tough, but Turner Jr. has managed to prioritize both his schoolwork and his athletic commitments through disciplined time management.

“I make sure to do my work as soon as it’s assigned, so I don’t fall behind,” he says. “If I don’t finish before practice, I set aside time afterward to get it done. That way, I avoid the stress of last-minute assignments and stay focused on both school and football.”

The challenges and triumphs of high school football have set Turner Jr. on a path he hopes to continue after graduation.

“After high school, I’d love to get a scholarship to play football—just like everyone else dreams of,” he says. “But whatever I do, I just want to be successful, even if it’s not football. I want to give my best and succeed in whatever I pursue.”

Turner Sr. fully supports his son’s ambitions, emphasizing the importance of each step along the way. He encourages Sam to stay grounded, no matter where life takes him.

“I tell him, be the first to achieve your goals if you set your mind to it, but remember it’s all about taking it one step at a time,” he says. “I tell him, let’s finish this chapter first, then move on to the next. If God blesses you to keep going, then go for it.”

For Turner Sr., the focus is on the journey rather than the destination.

“Whatever comes next doesn’t have to be football, but if that’s the path, don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible. Remember that it won’t always be easy—you have to put in the work to get anything in life,” he advises.

With a steady support system and an unwavering work ethic, Turner Jr. is well-prepared for whatever lies ahead. Turner Sr. is confident that, whatever Sam chooses, his son’s determination will carry him forward.

“If he has that mindset, and he knows that I, his mom, and the rest of the family are behind him 100%, he’ll be successful—not just on the football field, but in whatever he does in life,” Turner Sr. reflects. “He’s like a magnet. I’ve had friends who barely know him say he has that ‘it’ factor. Whatever ‘it’ is, my son has it. He’s truly special.”