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Cal DB Bryce Turner hospitalized after 'medical emergency'

Sam Cooper
·College football writer
Cal defensive back Bryce Turner is currently hospitalized. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Cal defensive back Bryce Turner is currently hospitalized. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Cal defensive back Bryce Turner has been hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency.

The Cal athletic department released a statement from Turner’s family on Thursday afternoon. It said that the emergency occurred near Turner’s home in Southern California.

Cal students are currently away from campus for break before the spring semester begins Jan. 15. The Golden Bears wrapped up their season in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 26.

“We are grateful to those who have cared for Bryce and the doctors who continue to closely monitor him in the hospital,” the statement said. “Please keep Bryce in your thoughts and prayers. We will share updated information as it becomes available and we learn more about his condition, but at this time we ask that our family’s privacy is respected so we can focus on Bryce’s care.”

Added Cal head coach Justin Wilcox:

“Our positive thoughts, prayers and energy are with Bryce and his family. We are thankful to the medical professionals who have cared for Bryce and will continue to monitor his condition. We will do everything we can to support Bryce and his family during this difficult time.”

Not much information is available about what led to Turner’s hospitalization. ESPN is reporting that the emergency occurred “during a workout on Sunday.”

Turner last tweeted the night of Dec. 30. On Dec. 31, several tweets asking for prayers on Turner’s behalf surfaced, including from Cal teammates and coaches.

Turner, a native of Lakewood, California, was a redshirt sophomore for the Golden Bears this season. He appeared in one game and made one tackle. Turner arrived at Cal in 2017 as a walk-on after a year at Long Beach City College.

This is the second serious off-field medical incident involving a Cal player in recent months. In June, Chris Fatilua, an incoming freshman linebacker for the Bears, suffered a serious spinal cord injury in a swimming accident.

In the months since, Fatilua has made significant progress and is back on his feet and walking.

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