Pettis Norman facts for kids

Pettis Burch Norman (born January 4, 1939) is a former American football player. He played as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was part of the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers. Before becoming a professional, he played college football at Johnson C. Smith University.

Early Life and College Football

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

He went to Biddlesville Elementary School and Northwest Junior High. Later, he attended West Charlotte High School. He joined the football team in his junior year. In his final year, he became a top player.

Norman planned to join the Air Force. However, he received a special release before boot camp. This was because he got a football scholarship offer. Johnson C. Smith University, a Historically Black University, offered him a spot. Coach Eddie McGirt offered him the scholarship without even seeing him play.

At Johnson C. Smith, he quickly became a starter. As a freshman, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP). 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 in that game. Norman was also a talented track and field athlete. He once ran the 100-yard dash in just 9.7 seconds.

Professional Football Career

Playing for the Dallas Cowboys

In 1962, the Dallas Texans picked Norman in the 16th round of the 1962 AFL Draft. However, he was not chosen in the NFL Draft. This was because the Texans spread rumors that they had already signed him. Because of this, he decided to join the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. He joined as an undrafted free agent, meaning he wasn't drafted but signed directly.

For his first two seasons, he mostly played on special teams. He wore jersey number 84 for his entire time with the Cowboys.

In 1963, he started as a split end in 6 games. Then, he moved to tight end because he was very good at blocking. The next year, he became a full-time starter. He held the Cowboys' tight end position for almost ten years. In 1965 and 1966, he shared the tight end role with Franklin Clarke.

He played in the famous 1967 NFL Championship Game. This game is often called the "Ice Bowl." It was played against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in freezing temperatures. The Dallas Cowboys lost the game 21–17 in the final minutes.

In 1969, Mike Ditka joined the Cowboys. Ditka was a famous tight end who had been an All-Pro four times with the Chicago Bears. Even with Ditka on the team, Norman remained the starter. They shared playing time, and Norman was known for his great blocking and leadership on the offensive line.

Norman also started in Super Bowl V. The Cowboys lost this game to the Baltimore Colts. A sportscaster named Jack Buck often called him "Norman Pettis" by mistake. This made a Dallas sportswriter, Blackie Sherrod, write about how fans were tired of the mix-up.

In May 1971, Norman was traded to the San Diego Chargers. This trade was part of a bigger deal that also involved players Ron East and Tony Liscio.

Time with the San Diego Chargers

In his first season with the San Diego Chargers, Norman became the starting tight end. He had a career-high 27 catches for 358 yards. He played with the Chargers until he retired after the 1973 season. He retired due to a knee condition.

Overall, Pettis Norman played for 12 years and in 162 games. He caught 183 passes for 2,492 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

Life After Football

Pettis Norman was active in the Texas Army National Guard from 1962 to 1968. He was married to Margaret Ann Clinkscales. Later, he married Ivette Hightower. The Reverend Jesse Jackson officiated his second wedding.

Norman was a leader in changing segregation in the Cowboys and in the city of Dallas. He helped organize marches during the civil rights movement. He influenced the team to change roommate assignments. He also helped break down social barriers. In 1965, he and other Cowboys players marched for civil rights in downtown Dallas. He protested again in 1971 when a council member was not chosen for a leadership role despite promises.

After retiring from the NFL, Norman became a successful businessman. He owned fast food places, apartment buildings, and other businesses.

In 1975, Norman became a television announcer. He was a color commentator for the World Football League. He broadcasted games with John Sterling.

In the 1990s, he started the Dallas Together Forum. This group worked with Dallas business leaders. Their goal was to improve hiring for minority groups and women-owned businesses.

He is an important member of Johnson C. Smith University's board of trustees. He has also been a speaker, advisor, and volunteer for many groups. He has helped with charity golf tournaments for good causes.

Awards and Recognition

Pettis Norman has received many honors:

• He was featured on the History Channel's History Stories. He shared his memories of President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas in 1963.
• He has been recognized in the Congressional Record by several U.S. representatives for his contributions to Dallas.
• 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.
• Johnson C. Smith University gives out the Pettis Norman Male and Female Athlete of the Year Award. This is their highest sports award.

Norman has appeared in many TV shows and documentaries. These include The NFL on CBS, The NFL on NBC, NBC Sports, NFL Monday Night Football, and NFL Films. He has also been featured in major newspapers and magazines. These include The New York Times, Texas Monthly, and The Dallas Morning News.