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 in the National Football League (NFL). Norman was a key player for both the Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers. Before turning pro, he played college football for the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls.

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.

Norman attended West Charlotte High School. He joined the football team in his junior year. By his senior year, he was a standout player. He even planned to join the Air Force. However, a football scholarship offer changed his path.

He received a scholarship from Johnson C. Smith University. This is a historically Black university. The coach, Eddie McGirt, offered him the scholarship without seeing him play. Norman became a starter and team MVP as a freshman. He played both offense and defense.

Norman 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 2 touchdowns. He also made 14 tackles in that game. Norman was also good at track and field. He once ran the 100-yard dash in just 9.7 seconds.

Professional Football Career

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

Dallas Cowboys Years

In 1962, the Dallas Texans picked Norman in the AFL draft. However, he was not chosen in the NFL draft. This was because of rumors that he had already signed with the Texans. Because of this, he joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. He joined as an undrafted free agent.

For his first two seasons, Norman mostly played on special teams. He wore jersey number 84 for the Cowboys. In 1963, he started as a split end. He played 6 games in this position. Later, he moved to tight end because he was excellent at blocking.

The next year, Norman became a full-time starter. He played the tight end position for the Cowboys for almost ten years. In 1965 and 1966, he shared the tight end role with Franklin Clarke.

Norman played in the famous 1967 NFL Championship Game. This game is often called the "Ice Bowl." It was played against the Green Bay Packers in very cold weather. The Cowboys lost the game 21–17 in the final minutes.

When Mike Ditka joined the Cowboys in 1969, Norman remained the starter. He shared playing time with Ditka. Norman was known for his great blocking and leadership. He also started in Super Bowl V. The Cowboys lost this game to the Baltimore Colts.

In May 1971, Norman was traded to the San Diego Chargers. This trade was part of a bigger deal.

San Diego Chargers Years

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 1973. He retired after that season due to a knee injury.

Norman played for 12 years and in 162 games. He caught 183 passes for 2,492 yards. He also scored 15 touchdowns during his career.

Life After Football

After retiring from the NFL, Pettis Norman became a successful businessman. He was involved in many different businesses. He also worked as a television announcer. In 1975, he became a color commentator for the World Football League. He broadcast games with John Sterling.

Norman was also very active in his community. He worked to change unfair rules in the Cowboys team and in the city of Dallas. He helped organize marches during the civil rights movement. He worked to improve how the team assigned roommates. He also helped break down social barriers. In 1965, he marched for civil rights with other Cowboys players.

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

Norman was a member of the board of trustees for Johnson C. Smith University. He was also a speaker, advisor, and volunteer for many groups. He helped with charity golf tournaments for good causes.

Pettis Norman passed away from ALS on July 7, 2025, at the age of 86.

Awards and Recognition

Pettis Norman received many awards and honors throughout his life.

• He was featured on the History Channel's History Stories. He shared his memories of President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas.
• He was recognized in the Congressional Record multiple times. This was for his work as a Dallas Park Board member and his contributions to the city.
• 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.
• In 2017, he was added to the Mecklenburg Sports Wall of Fame. This is 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 most important sports award.

Norman also 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 was also featured in many newspapers and magazines.