JONATHAN RUBINOFF
Argonauts.ca Staff
MISSISSAUGA — If Steven Turner’s achilles is as strong as his will to return, the ‘Afterburner’ may well take flight again, but not likely until this time next year.
The promising young running back/receiver hybrid injured himself on what seemed to be a harmless play during the Argos’ second day of training camp. By his description, it is an injury that will, in all likelihood, keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2010 season.
“I was just motioning across the line and the next thing you know, it felt like someone dropped a boulder on my leg,” Turner explained to media Tuesday morning while hovered over crutches.
The Bishop’s product was the Boatmen’s fourth round selection (30th overall) in this year’s CFL Canadian Draft and made headlines across the nation when he broke the CFL Evaluation record for fastest time in the 40-yard dash by running a blistering 4.31 seconds.
The Brampton native was predicted by many to help the Argos in both the return game as well as add an additional threat at the slotback position. Prior to the injury, he was having a productive camp for the team that he grew up watching.
“I was starting to get comfortable and starting to get into a groove out there and to have that happen,” Turner said. “It is just a devastating injury. It broke my heart to not be able to play, especially for the home team, it’s been something that I have wanted for so long.”
Despite his disappointment, Turner is taking the injury in stride and receiving support from many of his teammates, more specifically Argos’ RB/SB Andre Durie. Durie’s career seemed all but done when he suffered a severe knee injury while playing for York University and has since overcome the setback. He signed with the Argos as an undrafted rookie and has made a major impact on both special teams and on offence.
“He gives me that courage and motivation and lets me know that injuries are a part of the game, and it’s not how you handle the injury but how you bounce back from it,” said Turner of his supportive teammate. “I’m not going to sit around and cry about it. I am just going to keep my head up and go forward.”
The way Turner seems to be handling his injury early on should help his mental state since the rehab that awaits him will be the most intense of his young career so far.
“Just because I am injured now, I am not going to stop going to meetings. I am still going to take everything in like a sponge while I am still here,” he said with determination in his eyes. “I have worked so hard for this and I am not going to give it up that easy; I can guarantee you that I will be back.” .