FRISCO, Texas – Versatility is KaVontae Turpin’s honorary middle name, as the Cowboys have used him as a receiver, running back and returner in his three years in Dallas. On Thursday, he was named to his second Pro Bowl team as a return specialist, a testament to how much he’s shown in the NFL at such a short time.
“I’m grateful man, thank the Lord,” Turpin said. “Two years out of my three years here, I’m just grateful to show my ability on special teams. I’m grateful.”
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Turpin went undrafted and played in the USFL, Fan Controlled Football League and even oversees in Europe. He was the 2022 MVP of the USFL in their inaugural season. Now that he’s made it to the big leagues, he’s proven he belongs.
“Competitive, I’m a little guy, 5’9, 150 pounds going out there and competing on a big level with the big guys,” Turpin said when asked what stood out about himself on his journey to the NFL. “I’m just competitive, I go out there and compete no matter what the circumstances.”
And now, Turpin has backed that up with his second Pro Bowl nomination. He’s the only player in the NFL to have a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown this season and is the first player in franchise history with at least a punt return, kick return and receiving TD in the same season. To make things more impressive, Turpin has made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist in the age of the old kickoff rules, and now the new ones as well.
“Just being versatile, no matter what you do, I can go out there and just be me and just be a playmaker no matter what the rules are,” Turpin said. “No matter what you try to change formats, I’m going to go out there and just try to be the best at what I do.”
His impact hasn’t only come on special teams though. As a receiver, Turpin has added career highs in receptions (28) and yards (367) to go along with two touchdowns. Turpin and Kevin Williams are the only two Cowboys that have a rushing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return TDs in their Cowboys career.
His impact was felt the most the last time that the Cowboys played the Commanders, with an electrifying 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give the Cowboys a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like that’s one of the best plays that happened this year,” Turpin said. “I’m grateful for it and I still enjoy that moment.”
When the Commanders come into town on Sunday, Turpin hopes he gets a chance to have another similar kind of play.
“My people still send it to me, I still reflect on it,” Turpin said of the kickoff return. “I hope they give me another one so I can try and do something again on them.”
And if there was ever any question, Turpin still strongly believes he’s the fastest man in the NFL.
“Come on man, duh,” Turpin said with a laugh. “Yea I’m the fastest. That’s my mindset, always going to be my mindset no matter where I go.”
