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| No. 17 | |||||||||
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| Position | Tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1907-09-28)September 28, 1907 Mold, Washington, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | January 10, 1973(1973-01-10) (aged 65) Kirkland, Washington, U.S.[1] | ||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Clarkston(Clarkston, Washington) | ||||||||
| College | Washington State | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference  | |||||||||
Albert Glen "Turk"Edwards (September 28, 1907 – January 10, 1973) was an American professionalfootball player who was atackle in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theWashington State Cougars, earningAll-American honors in 1930. Edwards played his entire NFL career with theWashington Redskins, starting with their first six seasons inBoston, and later became the head coach. Edwards was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
After graduation fromhigh school in 1928 inClarkston, Washington, Edwards playedcollege football atWashington State College (now University) in nearbyPullman from1929 to1931. He helped lead theCougars to a9–0 record during the1930 season and an invitation to theRose Bowl onNew Year's Day.[2] Edwards and teammateMel Hein became the firstAll-Americans from Washington State.[2]
He was a member of the Alpha Omicron chapter ofTheta Chifraternity while in college.[3] The nickname "Turk" was given to him by head coachBabe Hollingbery.[1]
After finishing college, Edwards received offers from three NFL franchises, the recently createdBoston Braves, theNew York Giants, and thePortsmouth Spartans.[4] 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 toWashington, D.C. in1937.[5]
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.[5]
Edwards sustained a career-ending injury during a coin-tossing ceremony prior to a game against the New York Giants in1940. After calling the coin toss and shaking hands with college teammateMel 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.[5]
Edwards was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 1969, which he described as "certainly the greatest honor." He was introduced at the ceremony by Mel Hein, who said, "The thing I'll remember most about Turk Edwards is that he was a true sportsman, a true gentleman and still is."[6]
Edwards continued with the Redskins as an assistant coach from1941 to1945 and then as thehead coach from1946 to1948. After 17 consecutive seasons with the Redskins, Edwards retired from professional football.[5]
After retiring from football, Edwards returned to thePacific Northwest and operated a sporting goods store inSeattle'sUniversity District. In 1961, he moved toKelso, where he spent 11 years working in theCowlitz Countyassessor's office.[1]
After a long illness, Edwards died at age 65 at hisKirkland home onJanuary 10, 1973.[1][7][8]
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