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Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Clem Turner
Clem Turner was a former football player turned professional wrestler. He was drafted by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in the 1969 draft. His NFL career floundered as he spent four seasons with the Bengals, Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills. Once his football career fizzled out, Clem turned to the world of professional wrestling starting in 1972.
Turner was trained by Dick the Bruiser and started competing for the Bruiser’s territory based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Clem Turner never became a top star in pro wrestling, usually competing on the lower end or mid card. He wrestled the likes of Billy Red Cloud, George Gadaski and Prince Pullins. Clem Turner’s wrestling career was limited, because he wanted to compete close to his home in Ohio and not branch out more.
On December 20, 2009, Clem was driving home in a suburb of Cincinnati. His car lost control and went over the double lines and collided head on with another car. The driver and passengers in that vehicle suffered injuries, but all survived. Clem Turner died from his injuries. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.