Texas A&M standout Shemar Turner recently sat down for an electric and revealing conversation on the hit podcast “Sippin’ with Screeden,” and it’s safe to say fans walked away with much more than they expected. Turner, one of the most physically dominant defensive linemen in the SEC, used the relaxed interview setting to showcase a different side of himself — one that is proud of his roots, fueled by NFL dreams, and deeply inspired by legendary Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent.
With the lights dim and energy high, Turner wasted no time diving into a topic that has intrigued fans and scouts alike — his nickname, “Lil Sack.” The nickname, he said, dates back to high school, when coaches and teammates began calling him that after he racked up a series of jaw-dropping sacks that reminded everyone of the dominant pass rushers of old. But it wasn’t just any pass rusher he modeled his game after — it was Dent, the Super Bowl XX MVP and a key figure in the Bears’ historic 1985 championship season.
Turner explained that his obsession with Richard Dent began when he was just a middle schooler watching old NFL Films highlights. The way Dent played — fast off the edge, technically sound, and relentlessly aggressive — left an indelible mark on Turner. “That man made quarterbacks terrified,” Turner said. “He didn’t just sack them — he broke their confidence.”
He then revealed a stunning detail that many fans never knew. Each time Turner secures a sack, he taps his right shoulder pad twice, mimicking a move Dent used to do as a self-motivation ritual before games. It’s his quiet way of honoring the legacy of one of the NFL’s all-time greats while creating a name for himself.
Screeden, clearly impressed, asked whether Turner ever dreams of donning a Chicago Bears uniform someday. Turner chuckled and said, “If I ever get the call from Chicago, I’m packing before they finish the sentence.”
The episode took an emotional turn when Turner spoke about adversity — a significant injury during his freshman year, the grind of double practices, and the pressure of carrying expectations. Through it all, he found inspiration in Dent’s underdog story — a late-round draft pick who clawed his way into NFL immortality. Turner said, “If Dent could do it from Tennessee State, I can do it from Aggieland. It’s about heart.”
As the podcast wrapped, Screeden asked Turner one last question — what legacy do you want to leave behind?
Turner answered without hesitation. “I want to be remembered like Richard Dent — feared, respected, and impossible to ignore.”
That one statement, delivered with the poise of a veteran, proved something many already suspected. Shemar Turner isn’t just playing for today. He’s chasing greatness — and honoring legends while doing it.