The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL group as an entire are mourning the lack of an important man.
Because the workforce shared on social media, former NFL tight finish Pettis Norman has handed away at 86 years previous.
Pettis Norman performed within the league within the 70s, however he was extra common for his work as an activist.
We mourn the passing of former tight finish and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman. Identified for his selfless management, dedication to group, and dedication to creating equal alternative, we have been extremely proud and grateful to share his outstanding story just lately. For extra on… pic.twitter.com/brks4HoLq5
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 8, 2025
He organized civil rights marches within the 60s and 70s.
He attended Johnson C. Smith College earlier than the Dallas Texans took him within the 1962 American Soccer League draft.
He didn’t play a single snap for them earlier than finally becoming a member of the Cowboys.
Norman performed in Dallas from 1962 to 1970 earlier than ending his profession with the San Diego Chargers in 1973.
Per the Cowboys’ profile, he had a powerful affect on legendary head coach Tom Landry, who modified the way in which lodge rooms have been distributed on the workforce, which was initially by race.
The workforce additionally highlighted a few of his work as an activist and advocate for civil rights.
Norman was additionally identified for being the founding father of the Dallas Collectively Discussion board, an initiative that helped affect native companies to include and rent minorities.
Additionally they labored exhausting to extend contracts for minority and women-owned companies.
As an athlete, Norman managed to make 162 appearances within the professionals.
He walked away from the sport with 183 receptions for two,492 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns, and whereas he won’t be the most well-liked participant or have the flashiest stats, his impression and legacy will go manner past the soccer discipline.
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