[3] Turner attended Ventura High School and then played college football for the UCLA Bruins, where he was an All-American in 1990.

In week 15 against the powerful Dallas Cowboys, Turner tackled Jay Novacek at the one yard line on the game's final play to seal a 19–14 victory.

He made his second Pro Bowl and was second on the team with 112 tackles and tied for lead with five interceptions, although those numbers went largely unnoticed on a defense that allowed 441 points, third-highest in the league.

Following the 1996 season Turner, who had the most expensive contract among all NFL safeties, was cut by the Ravens and became an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his six-year career.

[9] Two weeks before his death, Turner would release a statement through his agent attempting to dispute any rumors about his health stating “I realize people are concerned, but I have chosen to keep this issue within my family…” “…Contrary to published reports, I have not lost 70 pounds and am not gravely ill.”[10] On May 28, 2000, Turner would be rushed to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California via ambulance after reportedly having trouble breathing.