Los Angeles — The friendly competition between four talented young pass rushers on the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front heats up every day, but this week was a whole new atmosphere.
Defensive tackle Braden Fiske won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month award Thursday. But he had to share the spotlight with Kobie Turner, who was revealed Wednesday night as one of the four final costumed performers on Fox’s Celebrity “The Masked Singer.” Music competition show.
Fiske, Turner and edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young inspire and challenge each other as they work together to build the new core of the Rams’ defense. They regularly compare everything from point totals (they have a combined total of 21 1/2 this season) to basketball skills, always smiling and trying to outdo each other.
But when Turner was unmasked on TV after being eliminated after a season of impressive vocal performances, the rest of the Rams’ defensive front knew Turner had won this round.
“I was really surprised.” Fiske said with a laugh. “I saw it in a group chat last night, and it was all over social media. But it’s pretty cool to know Kobie, to know who he is. I know the way he grew up around music and how much he appreciates it is very special to him and his family. I’m glad to know that he has that opportunity. “Singing in front of people is definitely not my forte.”
Fiske received plenty of congratulations on his performance after his five sacks in November, which established the second-round draft pick as two of the league’s best young interior pass rushers alongside Turner. Fiske is the third member of the Rams’ young group to earn Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in the last two years, joining Verse (September 2024) and Turner (December 2023).
Meanwhile, Turner surprised another part of the entertainment industry with her powerful voice.
The second-year pro has put his musical talents on display in many venues, including singing the national anthem before games between the Lakers and Kings. Turner conducts a few notes to an imaginary orchestra in his signature celebration after each sack.
He maintained both passions by balancing choir classes and weightlifting classes throughout high school and college. However, the challenge of singing and dancing while wearing heavy costumes on ‘King of Mask Singer’ was a completely new experience.
“It wasn’t something I really looked forward to, putting on a mask and being myself, like I always was, being my stupid, stupid self,” Turner said. Turner added that during one break during filming, she fell asleep on stage while in costume. His athleticism gave him more bulk.
Turner said his marketing agent put him on the show. Turner recorded the first episode last summer during the Rams’ organized team activities, but had to keep his involvement a secret until this week.
“Once we finished recording, we thought, ‘Okay, let’s start again,’” Turner said. “And I was really excited when the show started this fall.”
Turner admits it was “frustrating” not to make it to the show’s finale, saying she remains competitive in her music as well. But he still doesn’t forget to have fun.
“Sometimes there are expectations of how you should conduct yourself on the football field, and with my personality, I push those boundaries,” Turner said. “Last year, AD (Aaron Donald) would always criticize me for doing crazy dance moves in walkthroughs. But when it came time to go, I was completely trapped.”
NOTES: Verse was limited in practice Thursday due to an ankle injury. … LT Alaric Jackson (foot) returned to practice on a limited basis after missing Wednesday. … WR Demarcus Robinson (hand) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday and QB Matthew Stafford (ankle) worked all day for the second straight day.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
