Backpedaling rapidly like he was tracking an interception downfield, New Orleans Saints cornerback Dion Turner leaped and reached over his shoulder to rob a home run in the fourth inning of Wednesday's inaugural Ben Grubbs Charity Softball Game.
As Turner made the athletic catch, the second-year pro tumbled into and over a collapsible right-field fence, knocking down the structure. He somehow held on to the ball, and more importantly, walked away from the collision unscathed and injury-free.
Turner's unique "Web Gem" was the most memorable play in a fun-filled evening, as the Saints' defense defeated the offense by a 10-2 score. The catch was captured on video by a Cox Sports Television cameraman, who planned to send the tape to ESPN for its perusal.
"That would be wonderful if it's on there," a smiling Turner said when asked of the possibility of the play appearing on SportsCenter. "I could get my 15 seconds of fame. I want to try to see if I can get to number one!
"I was just trying to show my team what I've got," Turner continued, half-jokingly, "so that when the season comes they know they can count on me."
In front of several thousand fans in Saints jerseys and shirts at Zephyr Field, New Orleans players began the event with a home run derby.
Perennial derby favorite Drew Brees finished the semifinal round in a deadlock with fellow quarterback Luke McCown, before McCown prevailed in a lengthy tiebreaker. In the finals, McCown edged linebacker Will Herring.
A 10-year NFL veteran who starred collegiately at Louisiana Tech, McCown won himself a trophy as a result of his slugging exploits. Though he did not mention this to any of his Saints teammates, the 31-year-old believed he had a chance to win prior to the derby, having prevailed in the same contest several years ago at Mike Alstott's charity softball game in Tampa.
"I came in here with expectations," a grinning McCown said of his confidence level. "They were quiet expectations, but expectations (nonetheless). It's good to show that you're not a one-trick pony, even though you're a football player (first). It was a lot of fun."
The first-ever Grubbs charity game will benefit the local Boys & Girls Club.
The offensive lineman previously was the host of a charity softball game in Baltimore, where he spent the first five seasons of his NFL career.
"I was kind of nervous doing this, because it was my first time hosting it (taking it over from fellow Auburn alum Heath Evans)," said Grubbs, one of dozens of Saints players who played in the game. "But it feels good to see everybody come out and support my foundation. Not only do we have each other's backs on the field, but off the field as well."
