Badgers LB Jordan Turner addresses suspension, return

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin inside linebacker Jordan Turner expressed regret for an offseason OWI arrest during his first interview with reporters Thursday since the incident led to his suspension and subsequent reinstatement to the team.

Turner, Wisconsin’s second-leading tackler last season, was suspended for violating the student-athlete discipline policy after he received a citation from Madison police for operating a vehicle while intoxicated on June 26 and a small amount of marijuana was seized from his car. That came on the heels of a traffic violation three weeks earlier, in which he was cited for driving 117 miles per hour — 47 mph over the speed limit — on an interstate in Rock County. Turner was reinstated following an internal inquiry by a committee of university staff.

“Obviously, I made a bad decision,” Turner said. “I look back at it, unacceptable. I know I let my teammates down, coaches, family, myself. Coming back, I talked to (teammates), sat them down and I was like, ‘I’m sorry for what I did. I know I let you all down. I’m going to do whatever I can to earn your trust back and show how committed I am to this team.’”

Turner said he would use what happened as a learning lesson moving forward. Wisconsin inside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel said Turner approached his return to the team in a simple way.

“By closing his mouth and working,” Tressel said. “And he has. He’s never hung his head no matter what the situation is or who he’s running with that day. He just closes his mouth and works. We know he’s a good football player. His teammates love him. So there was never any issues about earning trust back with his teammates. But credit to him. He’s just shut his mouth and worked.”

Badgers inside linebacker Maema Njongmeta said Turner’s response had been admirable and that he had no questions about his commitment and dedication to the team. Turner said he appreciated how teammates stood by him and picked him up when he felt “doubt and embarrassment.”

“They said we’re with you through whatever and we’ve got your back and that just made me only want to go harder for them because they’re my boys and they still have my back even though I let them down,” Turner said. “The only thing I knew to give back to them was just keep working every day.”

Turner played in 13 games last season with 11 starts. He finished with 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. Turner recorded eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss to earn defensive MVP honors in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

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