His fans are familiar with his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, LA Rams, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now he can add author to his already stellar resume.

Vernon Turner talked to me about his book…The Next Level…A Game I Had to Play! and more in this SheliaGoss.com exclusive interview.

Why did you decide to share your life story at this time?
The first time I ever thought about telling my life story to the world was when I was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 1994. I was interviewed during training camp by a TV reporter by the name of Dan Brady. During that interview, he said,” VT, I found out a lot about you during our pre-interview session, what’s going through your mind right now? My Reply was, “Dan, when I’m retired and I’m sitting back, bored as heck… I’m going write a book about my life, and it’ll be a best seller!” Little did I know that it would take me well over seventeen years to gather the courage to actually write my book (The Next Level: A Game I Had To Play!) I guess what pushed me to actually write it was when I decided to stay home one weekend (towards the end of 2010) and watch a marathon of true story movies; I watched, Rudy, Invincible, Remember The Titans, We Are Marshall, The Express and The Blind Side. After watching all of those movies, I asked myself one question “Damn, if I died today… how would I be remembered? Then I went on to say, “Okay VT, It’s time to tell your story!”

You’ve been an inspiration to a lot of young men. What’s one piece of advice that you can share that may assist them on their journey in sports and in life? Well… I hope and pray that I’ve been an inspiration to young/older men and women. I would tell them to never take anything or anyone for granted… because it, or they can be gone in a blink of an eye.. I’ve learned that the hard way! Another is, take full advantage of every opportunity that is placed before you… because those opportunities are not promised to you, and you don’t know which opportunity will actually change your life! I would also advise them to ask themselves one question, “If I died today, how would I be remembered?” If you don’t like your answer… do whatever you have to do to change that answer!

You overcame many obstacles. Why do you think in spite of those obstacles, you were able to excel in sports and become one of the few who made it into the NFL? Two words… My Family! I am the oldest of five, my mom passed when I was a sophomore in High school, my dad passed when I was a freshman in college. I remember my mom telling me often that if anything were to ever happen to her that it was my job to make sure the family stay together! My aunt moved into my home to care for my brothers and sisters while I attended college; I remember receiving a call from my aunt at the start of my senior year of college… she told me that she could not stay and care for my brothers and sisters any longer; she said that they had to be split apart and live in different homes… My knees literally buckled when she told me that! All I could think about after that was what my mom kept telling me. I had no other choice but to turn to the game I fell in love with when I was ten years old… I turned to the game of Football to save my family!

If you could change one thing about your life while in the NFL, what would it be and why? Wow… that’s a tough one for me because I truly believe that everything happens for a reason! But If I had to relive and change a portion of my NFL career, it would probably be my stent with the Detroit Lions; I let the head coach get the worst of me… thus making my stay in Detroit a miserable one!

What is your opinion on what’s now become known as Bountygate? Though it is well known that the game of football is combative and violent sport by nature, they’re lines that can still (and have been) crossed in the actual act. Then When you have management and so-called team leaders (veteran players) giving out monetary bonuses for: Knockdowns, cart-offs and injuries…. That’s crossing the line! The mental thought process of a defensive player is already extremely violent; providing non-contractual incentives with the sole intent to do additional bodily harm to another should be a criminal offence! Good job Roger!!

The Next Level… A Game I Had To Play!  by Vernon M. Turner is a book that I recommend to not just sports fans, but anyone who wants to read a heart warming and inspirational story.

I got a chance to meet two of my favorite Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints players: Darren Sharper & Lance Moore.

 Shelia Goss and Darren Sharper

Shelia Goss and Lance Moore

Of course both are good eye-candy but their personalities are golden. My friends already know Darren Sharper has been the inspiration for several of the male characters I write in my books so just imagine how I felt to be able to meet him in person.

I wanted to also publicly thank Crystal Brown Tatum for putting together a wonderful event that helped raise a lot of money for the American Cancer Society.  

Darren Sharper and Crystal Brown Tatum

Who is your favorite football team?

I write romance so you know I couldn’t let this season go by without my take on how to have romance during the football season. I wrote an entire article on the subject. 

My top five tips on making the most of football season with your mate:

1. Purchase him a jersey, a hat, or anything with his NFL team on it.
2. Absolutely, do not talk about anything serious to him during the game. He’s not listening and if he does listen, he’ll be mad that you’re interrupting his relaxation time with relationship issues. Save the serious talk for later.
3. If he wants to host a NFL watching party, don’t complain. Be a gracious host and do it cheerfully. You will not go unrewarded
4. Wear a duplicate of your man’s jersey with a tight pair of jeans.
5. If his team wins, celebrate. If his team loses, throw in a stress reliever massage. Win or lose, it can be a win-win situation for you.
 

Congratulations to my home team, the New Orleans Saints, for winning their 1st Super Bowl. “What a Man” by Salt N Pepa

LET’S DO A REPEAT!

Who is the person that I most admire?

My answer would be my mama. She’s endured a lot but never allowed her obstacles to overpower her. Through her, I can see faith in action.

She was one of the inspirations for my poem–What Is It?

What Is It?

by Shelia M Goss

Is it the sound in my voice

That makes them take a glance?

Or is it the stride of my walk

Because I’m a proud woman?

What Is It?

Is it the twinkle in my eyes

That keeps them looking on?

Or is it the groove of my back

Tall, Black, and Strong?

What Is It?

I find myself wondering

Do They like me for me?

Or Is it the outer appearance

They only want to see?

Behind the voice and body

There’s a strong mind.

If they could only look inward

They’ll be surprised at what they’ll find.

Yes, When I speak, People stop to listen.

And to look into my eyes, you will see them glisten.

But If you take a chance and look deeper within;

You’ll see that I’m much more

than just a Black woman.

www.sheliagoss.com

Happy Birthday Mama!!! Now let’s all sing along with Stevie Wonder.

The players who I heard speak to the reporters after their win, all expressed one common thing–they acknowledged  God Almighty. It was destiny.  They were the under dogs. The sports experts thought the Colts would win, but if God be for you, it doesn’t matter who is against you.

Miami Gardens, Fla. – Leading 24-17 and trying to stop the Colts, CB Tracy Porter intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and raced 74-yards for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 31-17 lead. Porter, a native of Louisiana, delivered the first Super Bowl title in Saints history. To read the rest, click here.

Yesterday, I featured my favorite three New Orleans Saints hotties and got an email from someone saying I missed one. Well, I didn’t forget. I was going to mention “the man” today and that’s #9–Drew Brees. I dedicate “What a Man by Salt N Pepa” (listen below) to the Brees.

The whole state of Louisiana is cheering our home team on. The parties have already started. With Saints pep rallies, African-American parades, Mardi Gras parades, the Super Bowl, etc. I don’t know if anyone is going to get any work done until Wednesday.

Here’s my Super Bowl Saints Jam Pick for today. Originally I had a list of several songs, but decided to just list this one. 

Have a good weekend everybody or as we say in Louisiana, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

It’s been hard to function with all of the pre-game celebrations going on and you can guarantee that the parking lot will be emptied so fast after church on Sunday, that you’ll see the dust from the cars spinning off for miles.

I spotlighted these three New Orleans Saints players a week before they won their division, so I wanted to spotlight them again.  These guys would be inspiration for a leading man in any one of my books (wink wink).

Reggie Bush – #25

Stats: Fine, Fine and Fionne

Usama Young – #28

Stats: Sexy, Bad-boy and Cute Smile

Darren Sharper – #42

Stats: Experience, Dimples, Pretty Eyes equals Hot

Sorry Colts fans but this is a Saints blog so no Colts spotlights here; but you’re welcome to leave a comment. I promise not to delete them (and that goes for you Cowboys fans too.)

What I like about the Saints is that they never gave up. Even when their back was up against the wall–they kept their eyes on the prize and came out with the victory.

Sort of reminds me of life. Sometimes life throws us against the wall, but instead of giving up, we must dust ourselves off and keep pressing on.

I couldn’t write this post without saying how much it seemed that the officials were cheating against the Saints at every turn; but like life–what God has for you is for you and nobody can take it away from you.

To all the Saints fans and those that are not–remember in this life, you will face many obstacles, don’t give up and don’t give in–keep pressing forward and if it’s God’s will, you will come out the victor!

Stats: Experience, Cute Smile, Pretty Eyes equals Hot

Stats: Sexy, Bad-boy and today’s hottie.