Jerry Norton

Jerry Ray Norton (May 16, 1931 – January 14, 2020)[1] was a professional American football safety and punter in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Cardinals/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He was selected to five Pro Bowls. He played college football at Southern Methodist University.

Jerry Norton
Norton on a 1955 Bowman football card
No. 41, 25, 23
Position:Safety, punter
Personal information
Born:(1931-05-16)May 16, 1931
Gilmer, Texas
Died:January 14, 2020(2020-01-14) (aged 88)
Dallas, Texas
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Texarkana (TX) Texas
College:SMU
NFL Draft:1954 / Round: 7 / Pick: 81
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:131
Interceptions:35
Touchdowns:8
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Norton attended Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, where he played football and basketball. He was named All-state in both sports. In football, he was a two-way player as a running back and defensive back. As a senior, he was selected to participate in both sports All-star games, but only chose basketball, because it was the invitation that arrived first.

He accepted a scholarship from Southern Methodist University, where he led the team in rushing as a sophomore (438 yards). As a junior, he led the team in passing and rushing (383 yards). He was also one of the nation's top punters. He played only on offense in 1952.

In 2007, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.[2]

Professional career
Norton with the Cardinals in 1961

Philadelphia Eagles

Norton was selected in the seventh round (81st overall) of the 1954 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played safety and finished with 5 interceptions.

In 1955, he played as a running back, registering 36 carries for 144 yards (4.0 average). In 1958, he only played in 9 games after suffering a broken jaw in a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[3] That season, he started to have confrontations with the Eagles front office because of his salary demands,[4] so on September 4, 1959, he was traded to the Chicago Cardinals in exchange for offensive guard Bob Konovsky and defensive end Jerry Wilson.[5]

Chicago / St. Louis Cardinals

Norton was named the Cardinals starting Safety and punter. In 1960, he led the league with 10 interceptions and a 45.6 yards punt average. The next year, he ranked fifth in the NFL with 7 interceptions. He is the only player in league history to twice intercept four passes in a game (1960 and 1961).[6] On November 26, 1961, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns and 109 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On December 14, 1961, he notified the team of his intentions to retire,[7] but the Dallas Cowboys eventually convinced him to play in his home state.

During the 1962 offseason, he was traded to the Cowboys in a three-team deal. The Baltimore Colts sent a third round draft pick (#33-Mike Fracchia) to the Cardinals and the Cowboys sent tight end/placekicker Dick Bielski to the Colts.[8]

Dallas Cowboys

In 1962, he was named the starter at strong safety for the Dallas Cowboys. In week 13 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he returned 94 yards the first attempted field goal for a touchdown in franchise history. On September 10, 1963, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#83-Jim Evans).[9]

Green Bay Packers

Norton spent his last two years with the Green Bay Packers, where he was only used as a punter.

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References
  1. "Jerry Norton Obituary". DallasNews.com. January 22, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  2. "Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Inductees". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  3. "Eagle Sidelined". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  4. "Norton Gets Eagle Ultimatum". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  5. "Trade Made". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  6. "This Date In Sports". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  7. "Steeler Fray Finale For Cards' Star". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  8. "Packers Cut Agajanian". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  9. "Green Bay Acquires Norton From Dallas". Retrieved December 7, 2015.
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