Lightning in a bottle. That’s what the Rainbow Warriors caught in Calvin Turner, a football refugee who fortuitously has found his way to the middle of the Pacific. Turner came here from more than 4,000 miles away after his Jacksonville University football program suddenly shuttered last fall. Ready to begin a new chapter of his football life in paradise, another serious roadblock appeared in the spring: the COVID pandemic.
However, the Georgia native remained resolute and he along with his Rainbow Warrior teammate were back on the field in October. Since then, Turner has been nothing short of electrifying. He’s lined up at running back, wide receiver, wildcat quarterback and has returned both kickoffs and punts for the Rainbow Warriors. He’s averaged more that 10 yards every time he’s touched the ball and has hit pay-dirt a team-leading nine times.
Heading into UH’s bowl match-up against Houston, Turner reflects on his journey to Hawai‘i and becoming a focal point for the Rainbow Warriors in a season unlike any other.