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Pettis Norman, an old tight end of the NFL which was also known to have organized civil rights steps in the 1960s and 1970s, died, Dallas Cowboys announced on Monday. He was 86 years old.
Norman played for cowboys from 1962 to 1970 and ended his career with the Charters of San Diego, in competition from 1971 to 1973.
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CEO Pettis B. Norman de Dallas, PNI, based in Texas, was a starry end for cowboys in the 1960s. (Rodger Mallison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“We mourn the adoption of the former tight defender and civil rights Pettis Norman,” said cowboys in a press release published on X. “Known for his disinterested leadership, his commitment to the community and his dedication to create chances of equality, we were incredibly proud and grateful to share his recently remarkable history.”
Norman frequented Johnson C. Smith University before being selected in the draft of the American football league by Dallas Texans in 1962. He never played for the Texans before joining the Cowboys.
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He was the first player of Johnson C. Smith University to play in the NFL.
“Johnson C. Smith University honors the life of Pettis Norman ’62 – the first Bull Golden of the NFL,” said the school in a statement on X. “A Cowboy of Dallas, the CIAA renowned temple, and the old proud of JcSu, he was more than a athlete – he was a trailblazer.
Norman’s civil rights advocacy has been highlighted in a recent cowboys profile.
He was one of the players who influenced the legendary head coach Tom Landry to change the way the hotel rooms were distributed, which was originally by race.
The tight winger Pettis Norman of the loaders is pushed out of the limits by the defensive back Cornell Green of Dallas Cowboys at the San Diego stadium on November 5, 1972 in California. (James Flores / Getty Images)
“I tried to do everything I could do to change the kind of things in which the company had operated for so long,” said Norman.
He was also the founder of the Dallas Together forum. Hbcu Gameday described it as an initiative that has helped influence Dallas companies to “improve the hiring practices of minorities and increase contracts for companies belonging to women and minorities”.
Norman played in 162 games in the NFL. He captured 183 passes for 2,492 yards and 15 affected.
