Got to Hand It to Turner, He's Been One Tough Husky This Season

The free safety has dealt with three wrist or hand surgeries over the past six months.

NEW ORLEANS — Some people used to question Asa Turner's toughness. Maybe it was the flowing locks, though long hair is considered a show of strength in a lot of cultures.

Against Tulsa in the season's second game, the University of Washington senior free safety broke his hand on the initial snap — and didn't come out right away.

"I went in for the tackle on the first play and made it, and then I knew something was wrong," Turner said. "I took the glove off and something was messed up. I tried to run to the sideline, but they were going tempo so I had stay another play."

Now that was courageous if not a little dangerous for the 6-foot-3, 200-pound defender from Carlsbad, California. Real tough, no less.

As an unbeaten Husky season played out, Turner missed the next three games, played against Oregon and Arizona, missed another five outings and came back for the Pac-12 championship game against the Ducks in Las Vegas. He's worn a protective club on one hand whenever he's been out there taking on contact.

Meantime, he submitted to two surgeries on his right hand after entering the season following surgery on his left hand, and more.

"I've had other injuries you don't even know about," Turner said.

Yet what happens next is this stitched-together defensive back could return to the starting lineup for Monday night's Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas — and then possibly return for a sixth Husky season in 2024.

"Now that I have an option is an interesting factor," Turner said., "Going into the year, I said it was my last year and everything, and it really was my last year eligibility-wise. I have the option. It's something I'll talk to the coaches about. I'm still thinking about things."

Meantime, he'll provide the UW with a much-needed veteran presence along the defense's back row against the Longhorns. He's appeared in 41 Husky games and started 25 of them. He has 6 career interceptions, more than anyone on the team. 

Yet he's survived a difficult season made easier because his team hasn't lost in 13 games and is two wins from capturing a national championship.

"This has been a tough season injury-wise, but not too frustrating," Turner said. "The team's been doing well with or without me, and I'm just grateful to be here."

One more thing. Having two injured hands at the same time, which led to three surgeries over six months, affected the free safety in more ways than the football side of things. 

"It's been tough not only trying to play football and trying to stay positive," Turner said, "but it's been tough washing my hair in the shower and stuff like that."

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