Kobie Turner: Balancing Football Stardom and Musical Passion
LOS ANGELES — Picture this: It’s the final day of organized team activities for the Los Angeles Rams offseason program, and defensive tackle Kobie Turner is rushing out of the practice facility in Thousand Oaks, California. But he’s not heading home to relax or review game tape. Instead, he’s on his way to Hollywood for something completely different—his debut on Fox’s hit reality TV show, The Masked Singer.
Turner arrived at Red Studios Hollywood with just 15-30 minutes to spare before dress rehearsal. His first live performance? A soulful rendition of “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, all while wearing a massive, 100-pound green costume designed specifically for him. The costume, inspired by his appearance on Nickelodeon’s “NFL Slimetime,” earned him the alias “Goo,” the only name he was allowed to use during filming to keep his identity under wraps.
“When I had my mask on, I was able to take my mask off,” Turner said, reflecting on his time on the show. For Turner, this wasn’t just about singing—it was about embracing his authentic self and proving that his two passions, football and music, could coexist.
Living the Dream: Football and Music
Growing up, Turner often felt torn between his two loves. Whether it was choosing between guitar or weightlifting electives in high school or deciding whether to accept a music scholarship that might interfere with football practice, he constantly faced the pressure to pick one path over the other.
“It was really validating that this is something that I can do and that I hope is validating for everybody,” Turner said. “For anybody who’s trying to do both, if you just put in the sweat equity, you really go after it, that you can do both.”
Turner’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. In his second season with the Rams, he’s not only become a team captain but also made history on The Masked Singer, reaching the quarterfinals—the farthest any NFL player has ever gone on the show. His identity was revealed during the quarterfinal episode, which aired on Dec. 4.
Since being drafted by the Rams in the third round in 2023, Turner has been celebrated for his vibrant personality. Whether he’s dancing during practice or performing his signature conductor celebration after a sack, his teammates and coaches have embraced every facet of who he is. Rams head coach Sean McVay has been particularly vocal about Turner’s authenticity, praising him for being unapologetically himself.
Music as a Lifeline
Turner’s connection to music runs deep. On Dec. 3, the day before his big reveal on The Masked Singer, he joined rapper and producer Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey for a songwriting session with seven high school students in Inglewood. During the session, Turner shared how music has been a source of strength throughout his life.
“If I didn’t have music to help me out of those moments, I would have stayed [in the hard moments],” Turner told the students. “And I wouldn’t be there.”
He credits music with giving him the confidence to persevere, both on and off the field. “Music helped show me that my voice matters,” he said.
Turner’s love for music began in childhood, attending church choir practices with his mom in Tallahassee, Florida. His oldest brother, Lamar Turner III, inspired him to pick up the guitar, and from there, his passion for music took off. In high school, he joined multiple choirs and even led three a cappella groups. His high school choir director, Lynne Levine Babcock, made such an impact on him that she’s set to officiate his wedding next year.
In college, Turner continued to pursue both football and music, earning degrees in music theory and composition as well as mathematics at the University of Richmond. At Wake Forest, where he spent one season, he composed a song for choir as part of his graduate project.
Finding His Voice On and Off the Field
While The Masked Singer helped Turner find his voice off the field, being voted a team captain in August solidified his leadership on it. Turner is coming off a stellar rookie season, finishing third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after leading first-year players with nine sacks. He also recorded 57 tackles, including eight for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
With the Rams defense struggling early this season—its first without future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald—Turner stepped up as a leader. He credits Donald with teaching him how to hold teammates accountable while staying true to himself.
- Turner’s leadership was evident after a Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers, when he told rookie Jared Verse, “You have to be better.”
- Even after a Week 14 win over the Buffalo Bills, Turner encouraged Verse to “keep going” despite a quiet game.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua called Turner “a vocal leader,” praising his ability to communicate and inspire confidence in his teammates.
McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula have emphasized that Turner doesn’t need to fill Donald’s shoes but instead focus on being the best version of himself. “He’s naturally ascending and asserting himself as a leader,” McVay said. “He shows it with the effort, the urgency, and the sense of purpose that he plays with every single snap.”
For Turner, the journey has been about more than just football or music—it’s about embracing every part of who he is. And as his teammate Jared Verse put it, “Oh, he’s found [his voice]. No doubt about it.”
Originally Written by: Sarah Barshop
