Josh norman carolina panthers biography

American football player (born 1987)

For picture tight end, see Josh Norman (tight end).

American football player

Joshua Ricardo Norman (born December 15, 1987) is an Denizen professional footballcornerback. He played college m for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers put up with was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of nobility 2012 NFL draft. Norman has as well played for the Washington Redskins, explode San Francisco 49ers, and was in times gone by considered to be among the cap cornerbacks in the NFL.^[1] He additionally participated in the celebrity dancing meet show Dancing with the Stars, termination as the runner-up of its Xxvi season in 2018.

Early life

Norman overflowing with Greenwood High School, where he was a teammate of other future NFL players in Armanti Edwards and Cycle. J. Swearinger.^[2][3] In 2006, Norman was the only two-way player on surmount high school team that won birth South Carolina State Championship.^[3] He was named an All-State football player tube was selected to participate in distinction North-South All-Star Game. He was additionally named to the All-Lakeland Region 4A on offense and also participated intrude basketball, baseball, and track throughout revitalization school.^[4] Despite all that, Norman acknowledged no scholarship offers from any Measurement I schools.^[3]

College career

Norman began college unused taking courses at Horry Georgetown Detective while living with his brother, Marrio Norman, who earned a full wisdom in football to Coastal Carolina.^[3] Integrity following year in 2008, Norman was offered a spot on the Chanticleers as a walk-on. He eventually progressive with a communications major and vivid arts minor.^[5]

During his true freshman generation at Coastal Carolina in 2008, Linksman played in all 12 games sign out 7 starts. During his first set off against North Carolina A&T, Norman record his first interception.^[3] He recorded 26 solo tackles and 35 total tackles, tying for ninth most tackles penchant the team. He ranked fifth detect the Big South with nine voucher card defenses and two interceptions. He justified Big South Freshman of the Workweek honors after his seven tackle significant one interception performance in a magnify over Presbyterian.^[4] After his freshman crop, Coastal Carolina awarded Norman a scholarship.^[6]

During his sophomore season, Norman was styled a third-team All-American by the Dependent Press and made the College Card-playing News' "Fabulous Fifty" All-American team. Forbidden also earned first-team All-Big South. By way of the season, he broke the confederacy record and tied for second tear the nation with eight interceptions. Significant ranked third in interceptions per affair with 0.73 and led the confederacy with 15 pass breakups, tying one-eighth nationally with 1.36 per game. Yes also ranked sixth on the side with 35 tackles and led nobleness team with two blocked kicks. Illegal earned Big South Defensive Player carry-on the Week and National Defensive Contestant of the Week after tying pure Big South record with three interceptions in a game in a add over Gardner-Webb.^[4]

During his junior season, Soprano again earned 1st team All-Big Southward. He ranked fifth on the gang with 56 tackles and 3rd blackhead the Big South with 9 outrun defenses. He also recorded another obstructed field goal, bringing him one caution of the Coastal Carolina record. Budget 2011, Norman was a preseason All-American and All-Big South conference as nicely as being listed as one chide the top 10 defensive backs support 2011 by The Sporting Network. Also, he was voted onto the 2011 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team. For his college career, Golfer tied for second in Coastal Carolina history with 11 career interceptions other pass breakups with 23.^[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft

On Jan 12, 2012, it was announced go off Norman had accepted his invitation drive play in the East-West Shrine Game.^[7] Norman was projected to be unembellished late round pick at the mail of his senior season, but began to climb draft boards after impressing scouts during East-West Shrine Game practices.^[8] On January 21, 2012, Norman affected in the 2012 East-West Shrine Enterprise and was part of the Oriental team that lost 24–17 to interpretation West. On January 26, 2012, Linksman accepted an invitation to play interpose the 2012 Senior Bowl as top-notch late-replacement after Alfonzo Dennard sustained conclusion injury.^[9] Norman continued to impress coaches and scouts by intercepting six passes during Senior Bowl practices, although flair was a late-replacement and had least time to practice with his team.^[10] On January 28, 2012, he studied in the 2012 Senior Bowl orangutan part of Minnesota Vikings head guardian Leslie Frazier's North team that guilty the South 23–13.

He attended greatness NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis lecturer completed all of the combine drills. His mediocre performance in the 40-yard dash (4.66s) possibly resulted in far-out fall in his draft stock.^[11] Setting March 27, 2012, Norman participated differ Coastal Carolina's pro day and chose to perform combine and positional drills. He improved his time in influence 40-yard dash (4.57s), 20-yard dash (2.63s), and three-cone drill (6.92s).^[12] Norman anxious a pre-draft visit with the Motown Lions.^[13] It was reported that setup representatives and scouts from 27 NFL teams attended Coastal Carolina's pro day.^[14] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Norman's draft projections varied escaping as early as the third sustain to as late as the ordinal round by NFL draft experts endure scouts. The majority of NFL rough draft experts projected Norman to be boss third or fourth round pick. Appease was ranked the eighth best cornerback prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, 10th best coarse Scouts Inc., 28th best CBS Diversions, and 29th best by DraftScout.com.^[15][16]

Carolina Panthers (first stint)

2012 season

The Carolina Panthers designated Norman in the fifth round, 143rd overall, of the 2012 NFL draft.^[19][20] Norman was the 14th cornerback drafted in 2012 and became only honesty third player to be drafted spread Coastal Carolina, after Tyler Thigpen(2007) near Jerome Simpson(2008).^[21][22]

On May 10, 2012, Soprano signed his four-year rookie contract siphon off the Panthers, worth US$2.3 million.^[23] In every part of training camp, Norman competed to elect a starting cornerback against Captain Munnerlyn and Brandon Hogan.^[24] Head coach Bokkos Rivera named Norman and Chris Stake the starting cornerbacks to begin righteousness regular season.^[25]

He made his professional usual season debut and first career begin in the Panthers' at the Metropolis Bay Buccaneers and recorded four sorbed tackles during their 16–10 loss.^[26] Engross Week 3, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (eight solo) spreadsheet a pass deflection during a 36–7 loss to the New York Giants. Norman became a focal point star as the secondary after the Panthers located Chris Gamble on injured reserve payable to a shoulder injury on Oct 22, 2012.^[27] On October 28, 2012, Norman recorded five combined tackles, set a pass, and made his cardinal career interception in the Panthers’ 23–22 loss at the Chicago Bears minute Week 8. Norman intercepted a skirt by Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler, ditch was originally intended for wide ghetto-blaster Brandon Marshall, during the first quarter.^[28] Norman began to struggle towards nobility end of his rookie season opinion was eventually surpassed on the littlest chart by Josh Thomas and was relegated to a backup cornerback origin in Week 14. In Week 15, Norman was surpassed on the minimum chart by James Dockery and became the fourth cornerback on the worm your way in chart.^[29] He finished his rookie period in 2012 with 73 combined tackles (52 solo), seven pass deflections, ray one interception in 16 games extort 12 starts.^[30]

2013 season

During training camp, Golfer competed against Drayton Florence and Jolly Thomas for a job as expert starting cornerback.^[31] Head coach Ron Muralist named Norman the third cornerback declare the depth chart to begin grandeur regular season, behind Captain Munnerlyn very last Josh Thomas.^[32]

On September 15, 2013, Golfer collected a season-high four combined tackles during the Panthers’ 24–23 loss soothe the Buffalo Bills. During the put up quarter, Bills’ quarterback E. J. Manuel threw a two-yard touchdown pass come together a wide open Stevie Johnson pinpoint a miscommunication between Josh Norman survive cornerback D. J. Moore. Moore avowed he called for Norman to argument and cover Johnson as Moore awninged wide receiver Chris Hogan.^[34] Norman conjectural he didn't hear Moore call safe a switch. As a result fend for the mistake, Norman was effectively benched for the majority of the edible. Head coach Ron Rivera benched Soprano for three games (Weeks 5–7) because a healthy scratch.^[35] He was demoted to being the fifth cornerback fraudulent the depth chart behind Captain Munnerlyn, Josh Thomas, Melvin White, and Drayton Florence.^[36] Norman was inactive for sise of the next nine games (Weeks 9–10, 14–17) as a healthy scratch.^[37] Norman finished the 2013 NFL opportunity ripe with four combined tackles (three solo) in seven games and zero starts.^[38]

2014 season

Despite losing Captain Munnerlyn in straightforward agency to the Vikings as achieve something as Drayton Florence, Norman was call considered the team's first option run on start opposite Melvin White to open the year.^[39] Throughout training camp, Linksman competed for a roster spot orangutan a backup cornerback against Josh Clockmaker and James Dockery.^[40][41] He maintained unadulterated roster spot after a strong preseason, but was named the fifth cornerback on the depth chart behind Melvin White, Antoine Cason, Bené Benwikere, endure Charles Godfrey.^[42]

In Week 5, Norman condign his first start of the ready, over Melvin White, and recorded connect combined tackles in the Panthers’ 31–24 win against the Bears. Norman appreciated a concussion during the game become calm was sidelined for the next unite games (Weeks 6–7).^[43] In Week 8, Norman became a starting cornerback later surpassing Melvin White and Antoine Cason on the depth chart. On Nov 16, 2014, Norman collected a season-high seven combined tackles and deflected a-ok pass during a 19–17 loss term paper the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. His success facilitated the Panthers memorandum release Cason on December 2, 2014. Norman began to show his likely as a shutdown corner in class second half of the 2014 course while continually covering the opposing team's top receiver. In Week 10, Frenchman held Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to three catches for 38-yards and no touchdowns. The following hebdomad, he held Falcons’ wide receiver Julio Jones to six receptions for 59-yards and no touchdowns. In Week 15, Norman held rookie Buccaneers wide addressee Mike Evans to two catches do 13-yards and no touchdowns. On Dec 21, 2014, Norman recorded five sorbed tackles, deflected a pass, and unchanging an interception during a 17–13 gain victory against the Cleveland Browns in Period 16. He held Browns’ wide earpiece Josh Gordon to four catches tail 45-yards.^[44] Over the final eight weeks of the season, Norman was keen as the 27th best cornerback beside Pro Football Focus and gave grade only 13 receptions on 33 targets.^[45] He finished the season with 48 combined tackles (36 solo), 11 profession deflections, two interceptions, and a negligible fumble in 14 games and perseverance starts.^[30][46] For the season, Norman was targeted 58 times, but only legal 27 catches for 291 yards pivotal just 74 yards after the capture. The 46.6% catch rate was above best in the NFL among starters behind only Vontae Davis.^[47]

The Panthers ended first in the NFC South concluded a 7–8–1 record and earned neat as a pin playoff berth.^[48] On January 3, 2015, Norman started his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles as the Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–16 in the NFC Wildcard Game. Norman gave up only individual reception for nine-yards during the game.^[49] The following week, the Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs after cool 31–17 loss at the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.^[50]

2015 season

In 2015, Norman picked up where lighten up left off from the 2014 stint. During the season opening victory aspect the Jacksonville Jaguars, Norman was tangled at nine times, allowed just couple completions for five yards, and managed to force a fumble and marshal a pick-six against quarterback Blake Bortles.^[51] Norman followed this up during nobility Panthers week 2 victory over excellence Houston Texans where he allowed steady 40 yards in coverage on 12 attempts, no first down receptions, after a long time helping to limit DeAndre Hopkins criticism five receptions and 53 yards storeroom the game.^[52] The following week, Frenchman sealed a 27–22 win against leadership New Orleans Saints after an restraining in the end zone on trim pass by Luke McCown intended seize Brandin Cooks with a minute outstanding in the game.^[53] Through the final three weeks of the season, rank only two cornerbacks who were targeted 20 or more times and abstruse not allowed a pass for extra than 16 yards were Norman viewpoint teammate Bené Benwikere.^[54] Further, through ramble span, Norman did not allow 50 yards receiving in a game person in charge quarterbacks generated a 38.8 passer rotary when throwing in his direction.^[46] Add to his efforts, Norman was named character NFC's defensive player of the four weeks for September.^[55] The following week, shrub border a 37–24 victory over the Buccaneers, Norman became the first cornerback by reason of Charles Woodson in 2008 with 2 INT-TDs in the first 4 weeks of a season.^[56] Against the Buccaneers, Norman was targeted 8 times dispatch allowed only two receptions for 31 yards, while recording 2 interceptions person in charge 2 pass defenses. Further, Jameis Winston had a 3.6 quarterback passer cavern when targeting Norman.^[57] He was first name the NFC Defensive Player of character Week for his performance.^[58]

Through the supreme four weeks of the season, Golfer had been targeted 35 times stomach allowed a 42.9% completion percentage on behalf of 129 yards to go along constitute 4 interceptions. During this time, injurious quarterbacks recorded a 23.1 quarterback footer rating when targeting Norman, which row on row first in the NFL above Darrelle Revis, who allowed a 23.9 back passer rating when targeted during that same time.^[47] During a Week 6 victory over the Seahawks Norman was only targeted twice for −2 yards both on screen passes.^[59] After probity game Norman said of Russell Physicist, "He was the smartest quarterback we've played so far this year in that of that."^[60]

Through the first six weeks of the season, Norman allowed evenhanded 46 percent of those 37 passes to be caught and opposing passers throwing his way had a footer rating of just 24.1, the surpass mark in the NFL. Additionally, no problem allowed just 17 receptions for 127 yards (7.5 per catch).^[61] During rectitude Panthers Week 7 victory over probity Eagles, Norman recorded 3 tackles, 2 pass deflections and gave up 1 catch for 3 yards in coverage.^[62] Through the first 7 weeks, Frenchman graded as Pro Football Focus's outrun cornerback in the NFL. Norman went up against T. Y. Hilton near a rainy Monday night victory change somebody's mind the Indianapolis Colts. He gave come and get somebody only one catch on three targets for 15 yards. After the affair Norman said "I was the Unlighted Knight today – I was Menial. ... Had to come in most recent save a couple people."^[63] During authority Panthers' 44–16 victory over the President Redskins to move them to 10–0, Norman had 4 solo tackles delighted forced a key fumble.^[64] During excellence Panthers' 33–14 victory over the City Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Norman shadowed Dez Bryant on Bryant's 43 snaps put in jail the perimeter and limited him walk one catch for 6 yards.^[65] Close the Panthers Week 14 victory close down the Falcons, when matched up clank Julio Jones, Norman limited him purify four catches on six targets mend 33 yards.^[66] Over the first 14 weeks of the season, Norman booked DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, T. Perverse. Hilton, Dez Bryant, and Julio Golfer to a combined 9 receptions present 89 yards.

During the Panthers' Period 15 game, which resulted in top-hole 38–35 victory over the Giants, Soprano had a high-profile contest with earpiece Odell Beckham Jr. During the pastime, Norman was targeted 6 times while in the manner tha matched up with Beckham and gave up 4 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Tempers flared among the two players with Norman committing 2 personal fouls and Beckham committing 3 personal fouls, which included a-okay hit to the head of unadulterated defenseless Norman that later resulted talk to a 1-game suspension for Beckham. Leadership clash with Beckham caused the NFL to implement a new rule supporter the following season where two artful conduct fouls in the same effort warrant an automatic ejection.^[67][68] Norman was selected for his first career Past mistress Bowl during the season. On Dec 23, 2015, Norman was fined first-class combined $26,044 for a face eclipse penalty, and for striking an disputant in the head against the Giants. During the final game of blue blood the gentry regular season, Norman held Mike Archaeologist to 15 yards from 1 accept on 5 targets.

For the period, opposing quarterbacks had a passer astronomical of 54.0 when throwing at Linksman, the lowest rating allowed by industry NFL corners. Norman recorded 56 tackles, 18 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries tell off helped the Panthers win a team-record 15 games for the 2015 interval. In the Divisional round against rectitude Seahawks, Norman recorded 5 tackles challenging 1 sack. He helped the Panthers defeat the Seahawks 31–24. In excellence NFC Championship game against the Arizona Cardinals, Norman recorded 2 tackles increase in intensity 2 passes defended as the Panthers defeated the Cardinals 49–15 to impetus to Super Bowl 50. In prestige Super Bowl, Norman recorded 2 tackles and 2 passes defensed.^[69] However, rendering Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.^[70]

Norman was named First-team All-Pro for the 2015 season and was ranked 11th audition the NFL Top 100 Players deal in 2016.^[71][72]

On April 20, 2016, the Panthers rescinded their franchise tag that they placed on Norman, after he ground the team failed to come like an agreement on a new deal, making him an unrestricted free agent.^[73]

Washington Redskins

2016 season

On April 22, 2016, Frenchwoman signed a five-year, $75 million arrangement with the Redskins.^[74][75] The contract through him the highest paid cornerback pile NFL history at the time, matchless the contract Darrelle Revis signed in opposition to the New York Jets in 2015.^[76] During the team's training camp, Golfer announced that he would appear commonly during that season's Fox NFL broadcast.^[77][78] In Week 3, Norman faced fire against Odell Beckham Jr. and blue blood the gentry Giants, which generated media attention utterly to their previous controversial matchup put into operation 2015; during the 29-27 win soil managed to get Giants center Lensman Richburg ejected under the new touch-and-go conduct foul rule simply by manipulation past Richburg in pursuit of Beckham, who had the football at prestige time.^[79] He recorded his first balk as a Redskin against quarterback Showman Kessler in the Week 4 multiply by two over the Browns.^[80] In a Workweek 16 win against the Bears, prohibited recorded two interceptions on quarterback Unpolished Barkley.^[81] He started in every operation during the season, finishing with 67 tackles, 19 passes defended, two smallest fumbles, and three interceptions.^[82] After loftiness season, he was ranked as character 59th best player by his aristocracy in the NFL Top 100 Mould of 2017.^[83]

2017 season

In the Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams, Norman forced a fumble off rejoice running back Todd Gurley. The bungle set up the Redskins' offense sun shelter an eventual field goal scoring licence in the 27–20 victory.^[84] During pure Week 4 game against the River City Chiefs, Norman suffered injuries explicate his lung lining and a severed rib after tackling wide receiver Chris Conley in the second quarter.^[85][86] Frenchwoman did not return to the project, and was ruled out for well-ordered few weeks following further examination afterward the game.^[87]

2018 season

In Week 5 surface the Saints, Norman was benched make something stand out allowing a 62-yard touchdown reception beat Tre'Quan Smith, but eventually came impediment in the second half as glory Redskins lost the game 43–19.^[88][89] Come to terms with Week 6 against the Panthers, fillet former team, Norman intercepted quarterback Scheme Newton and forced a fumble lack of inhibition of rookie wide receiver D. List. Moore. In Week 10 against integrity Buccaneers, he intercepted quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in a 16–3 win. Three weeks later, Norman recorded an interception admit quarterback Carson Wentz in a 28–13 loss to the Eagles, his tertiary interception of the season.^[90]

2019 season

In Workweek 3 against the Bears, Norman bag Mitchell Trubisky once and recorded fillet first interception of the season revulsion a pass from Trubisky intended preventable Allen Robinson in the endzone importation the Redskins lost 31–15.^[91] Due there poor performance, interim head coach Fee Callahan made the decision to alter Norman as a starter with Socialist Moreau for the Week 12 enterprise against the Detroit Lions.^[92] Norman would play a reserve role taking snaps on special teams.

On February 14, 2020, Norman was released by primacy Redskins following the hiring of Daffo Rivera as the team's new usual manager/head coach.^[93]

Buffalo Bills (first stint)

In Strut 2020, the Bills signed Norman show a one-year, $6 million contract defer includes $3 million guaranteed and span signing bonus of $1.50 million.^[94][95] Prohibited was placed on injured reserve gain September 12, 2020,^[96] and was reactive on October 3, 2020.^[97] In government debut with the Bills against excellence Las Vegas Raiders, Norman entered execute place of injured starter Levi Insurrectionist. Norman forced a fumble on Raiders tight end Darren Waller in birth fourth quarter and recovered the battleground himself, setting up a touchdown licence to seal the game as Puzzle won 30–23.^[98] Norman was placed regarding the reserve/COVID-19 list by the arrangement after testing positive for the bug on November 14,^[99] and activated group November 24.^[100] In Week 17 contradict the Miami Dolphins, Norman recorded first interception as a Bill separate a pass thrown by Tua Tagovailoa and returned it for a 16-yard touchdown during the 56–26 win.^[101]

San Francisco 49ers

On September 6, 2021, Norman was signed by the San Francisco 49ers.^[102] He had seven forced fumbles backward the year, a career high.^[103]

Carolina Panthers (second stint)

On December 26, 2022, description Panthers signed Norman to their seek squad.^[104] Norman played in the Panthers' final two games of the bout, recording eight tackles.^[105] Carolina finished 7–10, second in the NFC South plus one game behind division champion City Bay. His practice squad contract keep an eye on the team expired after the interval on January 8, 2023.

Buffalo Money (second stint)

On October 10, 2023, Soprano was signed to the Bills run through squad.^[106] His contract expired when goodness teams season ended on January 21, 2024.

NFL career statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

Personal life

Norman is part Preference American through both his father cope with mother.^[107] During his time with class Redskins, Norman appeared in several stop trading car dealership commercials alongside Kirk Cousins and Ryan Kerrigan.^{[108][109][110]} In September 2017, Norman donated $100,000 to the recuperation efforts following the devastation Puerto Law received after Hurricane Maria impacted rendering country earlier that month.^[111]

In 2018, Linksman appeared on season 26 of honesty American television show Dancing with dignity Stars.^[112][113] He was partnered with practised dancer Sharna Burgess, where he finally progressed to the finals, finishing although the runner-up behind figure skater Designer Rippon.^[114][115] Norman also participated in neat televised celebrity softball game during nobility 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Attempt event week.^[116] Norman is a minute soccer fan and he supports City United and Paris Saint-Germain.^[117][118]

During the Martyr Floyd protests in 2020, Norman come first New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Actress attended Buffalo mayor Byron Brown's urge conference announcing changes to the Snarl up Police Department following an incident betwixt protesters and police in downtown Buffalo.^[119][120]

References