Trump Hires NFL Player
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Scott Turner, a former NFL player and former key member of his administration, to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner, 52, previously served as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), where he played a significant role in advancing policies aimed at revitalizing economically distressed areas across the country.
“Scott is a proven leader with a track record of success in both the public and private sectors,” Trump said in his statement. “During my first term, he was instrumental in launching the Opportunity and Revitalization Council, which led an unprecedented effort to transform communities that had been left behind for decades.”
The WHORC, which was created in 2018 under Trump’s administration, worked to attract both public and private investments into low-income areas designated as “Opportunity Zones” by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Turner’s leadership in coordinating efforts between 16 federal agencies helped deliver more than 200 policy changes that boosted job creation, economic growth, and community revitalization in these underserved regions.
As HUD Secretary, Turner will be responsible for enforcing housing laws, overseeing federal programs that support affordable housing, and working to eliminate housing discrimination. His confirmation would mark a shift in housing policy, with Turner expected to advocate for reversing many of the Biden administration’s housing policies and reforming programs to better address homelessness and housing shortages.
Before entering politics, Turner had a distinguished career in the NFL, playing nine seasons with the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos. He later served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017.
Turner is also the founder and CEO of the Community Engagement and Opportunity Council, a nonprofit focused on bringing economic opportunity to communities through mentorship, education, and sports. Additionally, Turner is an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, where he and his wife Robin are actively involved in community outreach. Together, they have one son.
If confirmed, Turner will continue Trump’s legacy of fostering economic opportunity, particularly in underserved communities, and pushing forward with policies that prioritize American families and neighborhoods.
