Born in the central portion of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Vernon Turner is the oldest of five children. Growing up in difficult circumstances, he moves from the slum area in Brooklyn to the quiet neighborhood of Sunnyside on Staten Island while a young child. His mother dies when he is a freshman in high school and his stepfather while he is in college. After graduating from high school, Turner enrolls at Carson–Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he is recruited by head coach Ken Sparks to play running back. As a junior in 1988, he leads the team in rushing with 1,257 yards on 232 carries, and in scoring with 96 points. He makes his last appearance for Carson–Newman during the national championship game on December 16 when the team defeats Emporia State University of Kansas 34–20, marking the Eagles’ third title in four years. After going unselected in the 1990 NFL Draft, Turner signs and is release by different NFL teams over the next few years. Mid-way through the 1995 season, Turner is picked up by the Detroit Lions. After the 1995 season, Vernon signs to play three seasons in NFL Europe. Turner retires from professional football in 1998.