Eric Scott Turner (born February 26, 1972) is an American businessman, motivational speaker, politician, and former professional football player who served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council from 2019 to 2021.[2] Prior, he served as state representative for Texas' 33rd House District, which includes part of Collin County and all of Rockwall County, from 2013 to 2017. Before entering politics, Turner played cornerback for the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons.
A fourth-generation Texan,[4] Turner grew up in the Dallas area.[5][6] As a child, he attended Mount Pisgah Baptist Community Church, where members of his family have been active since 1898.[6] At the age of 10, Turner’s parents divorced.[6] He told his mom that he was going to play in the NFL.[7]
Turner earned a full academic and athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois.[8] In football, he initially played wide receiver and switched to cornerback his senior year,[8]
wearing number "21" and compiling forty-eight tackles for the 1994 Liberty Bowl champions.[9] In track and field, Turner specialized in the 200 and 400 meters,[9]
winning Big Ten Indoor Freshman of the Year in 1991,[10] and a pair of Big Ten 400 meters indoor titles in 1992 and 1993.[9] He was named Big Ten Athlete of the Month (January) in 1993,[11] and earned First Team, All-Big Ten honors in 1992, 1993, and 1994.[5][12] As part of the Illinois men's 4x400 meter relay indoor team (1991) and outdoor teams (1993 and 1994), Turner received All-America status in track and field.[13]
Turner graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in speech communications in 1995.[7]
Football career
Turner was drafted in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.[6][5][14][15] He signed a three year deal with the team,[7] played cornerback for the Redskins from 1995 to 1997.[16] After three years, Turner was cut by Redskins coach Norv Turner.[6]
He then played four seasons (1998-2002) for the San Diego Chargers.[15][16] He was cut by the Chargers,[7] and did not play in the 2002 NFL Season. Turner was the last Charger to wear #21 before Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson wore the number.[17]
Turner signed with the Denver Broncos in 2003.[15][16] A 2004 leg injury during training camp ended his professional football career.[7] He played in 101 NFL games, recording 89 tackles, five interceptions (including one for a touchdown),[9] and two sacks.[16][9]
Since his playing career ended, Turner has served as a coach for the NFL’s Legends Community transition program,[15] and as a senior advisor to the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations.[18][4]
Political career
During the 2003 NFL off-season, Turner worked as an intern for Congressman Duncan Hunter.[15][6] After retiring from football, he accepted a full-time job in the congressman's office. In 2006, he ran for the vacated seat of California's 50th congressional district in the 2006 special election to replace Duke Cunningham. In the blanket primary election held April 11, 2006, Turner finished eighth out of 17 candidates.[19] After losing the election, Turner moved back to Frisco, Texas.
In 2012, Turner announced his candidacy for the newly created 33rd District of the Texas House of Representatives. Turner defeated Jim Pruitt in the Republican primary and defeated Libertarian candidate Michael Carrasco in the November 6 general election.
Turner served two consecutive terms in the Texas Legislature, representing the 33rd District from January 2013 to January 2017.[20][4]
Turner in 2019 at The White House Opportunity Zones Conference with President Donald Trump (right)
In 2019, President Donald Trump appointed Turner as the director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, created by Executive Order 13853.[25][26][18][4]
From 2007 to 2023, Turner worked at Systemware, a content management software company, where he served in various capacities, including chief inspiration officer.[4][7][15]
Turner is the founder and president of Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), an organization that supports children living in poverty.[18][8] CEOC is credited with renovating the Literacy Lab in Bonton, a section of Dallas.[8]
In 2023, Turner was named Chief Visionary Officer of JPI, a national developer, builder, and investment manager of Class A, attainable and affordable multifamily assets across the U.S.[28][18]
Turner and his wife, Robin Turner, own Statesman Clothiers, a custom men’s clothing company.[15][9]
Personal life
Turner is married to Robin Turner,[15][4][6] a Champaign, Illinois native and an University of Illinois alumna.[9] The couple raised his nephew, Solomon,[4][6] who played football for and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2024.[26]
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