Pettis Norman facts for kids

Pettis Burch Norman (born January 4, 1939 – died July 7, 2025) was an American professional football player. He played as a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls. Norman was known for his skills on the field and his important work off the field, helping to bring about positive changes in his community.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Pettis Norman was born in Lincolnton, Georgia, on January 4, 1939. He was the youngest of ten children. When he was ten years old, his father passed away, and his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

High School and College Achievements

Pettis attended Biddlesville Elementary School and Northwest Junior High. He then went to West Charlotte High School. There, he joined the football team in his junior year. By his senior year, he was a star player. He was offered a football scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University. This was a historically Black university. He was even granted a release from the Air Force to accept this scholarship.

At Johnson C. Smith University, Pettis quickly became a key player. He was named the starting split end and the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in his first year. He played both offense and defense. He was chosen twice for the All-CIAA team. In his senior year, he had an amazing game. He caught 5 passes for 133 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. He also made 14 tackles. Besides football, Pettis was also a talented track and field athlete. He once ran the 100-yard dash in just 9.7 seconds!

Professional Football Career

Pettis Norman had a long and successful career in professional football. He played for two different teams in the NFL.

Playing for the Dallas Cowboys

In 1962, the Dallas Texans picked Pettis in the AFL draft. However, he decided to join the Dallas Cowboys instead. He started his NFL career in 1962. For his first two seasons, he mostly played on special teams. These are plays like kickoffs and punts. He wore jersey number 84 for the Cowboys.

In 1963, Pettis began as a split end. He started six games in this position. But soon, he moved to tight end. He was very good at blocking for his teammates. This skill made him a full-time starter the next year. He played as the Cowboys' main tight end for almost ten years. In 1965 and 1966, he shared the tight end role with another player, Franklin Clarke.

The "Ice Bowl" and Super Bowl V

Pettis played in a very famous game called the "Ice Bowl." This was the 1967 NFL Championship Game. It was played against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in freezing temperatures. The Cowboys lost a close game, 21-17, in the final minutes.

Later, in 1969, a famous tight end named Mike Ditka joined the Cowboys. Even with Ditka on the team, Pettis remained a starter. He shared playing time with Ditka. He was known for his excellent blocking and leadership. Pettis also started in Super Bowl V. This was a championship game that the Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts. After the 1970 season, Pettis was traded to the San Diego Chargers.

Time with the San Diego Chargers

In his first season with the San Diego Chargers, Pettis Norman became the starting tight end. He had a great first season with them. He caught 27 passes for 358 yards, which was his career high. He continued to play for the Chargers until he retired after the 1973 season. He retired because of a knee condition. Pettis played a total of 12 years in the NFL. He played 162 games. He caught 183 passes for 2,492 yards. He also scored 15 touchdowns during his career.

Life Beyond Football

After his football career, Pettis Norman became a successful businessman. He owned different types of businesses. These included fast food restaurants and apartment buildings. He also worked in real estate and fuel transportation.

Community Leadership and Business

Pettis was also a strong leader in his community. He worked to change unfair rules and practices. He helped organize marches during the civil rights movement. He encouraged the Dallas Cowboys team to change their roommate assignments. This helped break down social barriers. In 1965, he and other Cowboys players marched for civil rights in downtown Dallas. He continued to speak up for fairness in his city.

In the 1990s, Pettis founded the Dallas Together Forum. This group worked with business leaders in Dallas. Their goal was to improve hiring opportunities for minority groups. They also wanted to give more contracts to businesses owned by women and minorities.

Pettis was a dedicated member of the board of trustees for JCSU. He often spoke at events. He also volunteered for many organizations. He was involved in charity golf tournaments. These events raised money for important causes.

From 1975, Pettis also worked as a television announcer. He was a color commentator for the World Football League. He shared his knowledge of the game with viewers.

Awards and Special Recognition

Pettis Norman received many honors throughout his life. These awards recognized his achievements in sports and his contributions to society.

Honored for His Contributions

• In 1972, he was recognized in the Congressional Record. This is an official record of the U.S. Congress. He was honored for his work as a Dallas Park Board member.
• He was also recognized multiple times by members of Congress for his work in minority business development and police-community relations.
• In 1977, he was inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
• In 2010, he was inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2017, he was honored as a Dallas/Fort Worth Black Living Legend.
• Also in 2017, he was added to the Mecklenburg Sports Wall of Fame in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Lasting Legacy

Johnson C. Smith University has a very special award named after him. It's called the Pettis Norman Male and Female Athlete of the Year Award. This award goes to the most outstanding student-athletes at the school each year.

Pettis Norman was also featured on television shows and documentaries. These included The NFL on CBS, The NFL on NBC, and NFL Films. He appeared in many news articles and publications. These included The New York Times and Texas Monthly.