Shemar Turner, an American professional football defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, credits his athletic success to his mother, Nakita Turner.
His mother and her brother, Jeffrey Booker, helped Shemar navigate through the recruiting process when he wanted to join a collegiate program.
Shemar began playing football at DeSoto High School and had 76 tackles and 12.5 sacks as a senior. Later, he was selected for the 2021 Under Armour All-America game.
He committed to play college football for Texas A&M University and had four tackles and 1.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021.
Likewise, he recorded 32 tackles and 0.5 sacks as a sophomore and had 33 tackles and six sacks as a junior.
The Chicago Bears selected him with the 62nd pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft and signed his four-year rookie contract on July 17, 2025.
Shemar Turner’s Mother Remembers The Moment He Decided To Become An NFL Player
Shemar Turner, the son of Nakita Turner, was born on January 14, 2003, in DeSoto, Texas.
He hasn’t opened up much about his father, but credits much of his success to his mother’s unwavering support.
Nakita Turner will never forget the day her son declared his dream of playing in the NFL.
On a fifth-grade field trip to the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, Shemar stood on the legendary midfield star, turned to face his mother, and declared he wished to be an NFL player.
Shemar’s passion for football only grew. He began playing Little League at the age of five, and the sport quickly became his driving force.
His mother laughs as she recalls using football as leverage when Shemar didn’t want to go to school. She’d remind him that he has to go to school to play.
On April 25, that dream became reality when the Chicago Bears selected him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The moment was more than just a draft selection for Nakita. It was the culmination of a mother’s love, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in her son.
She had watched him overcome every obstacle to reach this day.
I don’t even have the right words to explain it, but it was the best experience that anyone can ever experience in life. It was wonderful, and it was just breathtaking.
Nakita Turner
There’s not even words that describe how proud I am of him. It just made me feel so proud that he’s proved a lot of people wrong, that he can do and be anything that he wants to be, no matter what.
Nakita Turner Sent Shemar 20 Miles Away To Her Brother In DeSoto
Shemar Turner entered seventh grade, and his body began to transform into that of a man.
Nakita knew that physical maturity wasn’t enough, and her son needed guidance, discipline, and a strong male influence to shape his mentality.
So, she made the toughest decision of her life, sending him 20 miles away to live with her brother, Jeffrey Booker, in DeSoto.
Jeffrey stepped into the role of father figure and became Shemar’s youth football coach on the DeSoto Dolphins.
He quickly recognized the root of Shemar’s struggles.
The reason why he was acting out was because all the other kids had their fathers, and he wanted his father to be there. I got him to the point to trust the Lord and believe in the Lord. We couldn’t let that destroy him.
Jeffrey Booker
Under his uncle’s wing, Shemar was immersed in structure and mentorship. A village of positive influences surrounded him.
Furthermore, DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis also became part of his extended support system.
Although the move wasn’t easy, it was necessary for Shemar. His determination proved that sometimes the most complicated decisions lead to the most significant transformations.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shemar Turner was named to the All-SEC Second Team in 2023 and was nominated for Defensive MVP in 2024.
- He stands 1.91 meters tall and weighs approximately 133 kilograms.
