TCU’s KaVontae Turpin: All I’m asking is forgiveness and a second chance
Ex-TCU returner KaVontae Turpin is asking for forgiveness and a second chance after being dismissed from the Frogs’ football team last month on the heels of arrests for two domestic violence charges.
Turpin issued his first lengthy statement since being kicked off the team, posting on his Twitter account: “First off, I want to thank Texas Christian University for giving me an opporutnity to be a part of their program. I want to thank Coach [Gary] Patterson and the whole coaching staff for growing me up and teaching me things I didn’t know in life. That was a blessing and I’m grateful for that.
“I want to thank the TCU community and my brothers for helping me becoming the person I am today. I appreciate the fans for always having my back through the worst times and the good times.
“I disappointed a lot of people, all I’m asking is forgiveness and a second chance. Believe me Turpin Time is not over. I’m grateful for all and wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.”
Turpin, 22, was arrested in Fort Worth last month on charges of assault against his girlfriend. After that incident, a previous arrest involving Turpin from March in Las Cruces, New Mexico came to light that included a battery charge against the same girlfriend.
TCU and Patterson dismissed Turpin from the team after learning the entire scope of the New Mexico incident.
Turpin’s attorney representing him on the New Mexico charges, Rudy Chavez, is confident Turpin will be found innocent.
But the arrests have put Turpin’s professional career in jeopardy.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl initially posted on its social media account earlier this week that Turpin had accepted an invite and then deleted that post. It’s unclear whether Turpin has or will be invited to the game.
NFL teams are hesitant to bring on players with domestic violence issues such as Turpin, which means he may have to play in a lesser-known professional league next season. Plus, Turpin was viewed by most scouts as a borderline draft talent before the incidents.
Turpin set a TCU-record for most special teams touchdowns in his career, returning four punts and two kickoffs for scores. He returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown this season.
Turpin averaged a personal-best 19.4 yards a punt return this season.
Turpin also provided a threat in the receiving game, scoring 13 receiving touchdowns in his college career. He finished with 145 career receptions for 1,748 yards.
This story was originally published November 22, 2018 at 1:26 PM.