Trump Appoints Former NFL Player Scott Turner as Housing Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Scott Turner, a former NFL player, as the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The announcement, shared on Truth Social, highlighted Turner’s leadership and accomplishments during his tenure as the first executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

Turner, a Texas native, played a pivotal role in advancing the Opportunity Zones initiative, a program designed to attract private investment to economically distressed communities nationwide. Under Turner’s guidance, the initiative reportedly brought in over $50 billion in private investment, driving economic growth and community revitalization.

During Trump’s presidency, Turner collaborated closely with then-HUD Secretary Ben Carson, overseeing a comprehensive program involving 16 federal agencies and implementing over 200 policy actions. Trump credited Turner with significantly transforming the country’s most underserved communities.

Before his political career, Turner spent nine years in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos, where he earned a reputation for leadership both on and off the field. Following his retirement from professional football, Turner pursued ventures in business and public service. He became a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and eventually a Republican representative for Texas’s 33rd District in the state legislature from 2013 to 2017.

In 2018, Turner was appointed by Trump to lead the Revitalization Council, spearheading efforts to implement the Opportunity Zones program. His blend of athletic discipline, political experience, and dedication to economic development has made him a prominent advocate for community transformation.