Dallas Cowboys’ standout return specialist Kavontae Turpin was taken into custody on Sunday morning in Allen, Texas, facing charges related to weapons and marijuana possession, as per Collin County Court documents obtained by CBS News. Turpin was charged with possession of marijuana and illegal transportation of weapons.
The 28-year-old recently secured a three-year contract worth $18 million, making him the highest-paid special teams player in the NFL as of March. Turpin enjoyed a career-best season in 2024, leading the league with 904 return yards on 27 kickoffs and scoring one touchdown, along with 18 punt returns for 187 yards and another touchdown. As a wide receiver, he also posted career-high stats, catching 31 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him First Team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl selection.
Turpin, who went undrafted out of TCU in 2019 due to off-field concerns, revived his career through the Spring League and the European Football League. In 2022, he was chosen by the New Jersey Generals in the USFL Draft, where he quickly became a top player, excelling in both receiving and returns. He earned MVP honors after leading the USFL with 316 receiving yards and averaging 15.3 yards per punt return. His impressive USFL campaign led to a contract with the Cowboys, where he achieved Pro Bowl recognition in his rookie NFL season by returning 21 kickoffs for 508 yards and 29 punts for 303 yards.
Fan Take: Kavontae Turpin’s arrest is a troubling development for a player who has shown immense potential and skill, particularly on special teams—a crucial yet often underappreciated phase of the game. NFL fans should watch closely, as how the Cowboys and the league handle this situation could set important precedents for player conduct and the support systems in place to assist athletes off the field.
