Norman Hand facts for kids
| Date of birth: | September 4, 1972 |
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| Place of birth: | Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Date of death: | May 14, 2010 (aged 37) |
| Place of death: | Walterboro, South Carolina, U.S. |
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Career information
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| Position(s): | Defensive tackle |
| College: | Mississippi |
| NFL Draft: | 1995 / Round: 5 / Pick: 158 |
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Organizations
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Career stats
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| Playing stats at NFL.com | |
Norman Lamont Hand (born September 4, 1972 – died May 14, 2010) was an American football player. He was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). A defensive tackle is a strong player who tries to stop the other team from running with the ball.
Norman Hand played for several teams during his career. These included the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Giants. He was known for his fun "Big Wiggle" celebration dance. With the Saints, he was part of a famous group of players called "The Heavy Lunch Bunch." In 2000, he helped the Saints win their first-ever playoff game.
Early Life and High School Football
Norman Hand grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina. He went to Walterboro High School, which is now called Colleton County High School. While in high school, he was a talented athlete.
He played both football and baseball. In football, he earned three "letters," which means he was a key player for three years. As a senior, he was recognized as one of the best high school defensive linemen in the country. He was even named the South Carolina High School Defensive Lineman of the Year.
College Football Career
After high school, Norman Hand started his college football journey at Itawamba Junior College in Mississippi. He played there for two years. During his time at Itawamba, he was a very strong player. He made 18 sacks, which means he tackled the opposing quarterback 18 times. He also had 135 tackles and caused four fumbles.
Later, he transferred to the University of Mississippi, where he became a starter for two years. As a senior, he continued to play well. He had 3.5 sacks and 61 tackles. His strong performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-SEC selection.
Later Life and Passing
Norman Hand passed away on May 14, 2010. He was 37 years old. He died from heart problems caused by high blood pressure. He collapsed at his home in Walterboro, South Carolina.
