Pettis Norman, longtime Cowboys tight end and renowned civil rights advocate, dies at 86

Pttis Norman: Trailblazing 12 years NFL The veterans who have a majority of his life with Dallas Cowboys, died in the age of 86.

Norman spent nine years with Cowboys and was in the freedom of the first team at a Crater – A over 5 damage to Baltimore Colts. Norman, who played its last three times with San Diego checkers, served in the Texas Army National Guard in his first seven NFL times.

Norman was important to his work in the civil rights of lawyer. In the 1990s, the Dallas Forum Together market, the initiative is worked with Dallas CEO to improve minority hiring and awarding of contracts to women and minority, occupied business from Dallas.

“We will mourn the passage of the former strict end and civil rights advocate Pttis Norman,” Cowboys said Monday. “It is known to his gratuitous guidance, commitment to the city, and dedication to create an equal opportunity, we incredibly proud and grateful to share its remarkable story late.”

Norman’s work in a civil rights lawyer began in college when it would be part of a meal counterprotests in effort to help promote the integration. In the field, Norman’s Success in Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte is noticed by Cowboys Explorer Gil Brandt, who would go into inducted in for football Hall of the report. Norman was drafted in the 16th in 1962 AFL catch by Dallas, but brandt could be used to sign Norman to Cowboys to undrafted free agent.

The Dallas, Norman helped to persuade Cowboys Hall of Fame Ortelius Tom Landry may not assign a hotel rooms based on class. Off field, Norman became the first black official bank in Dallas.

“Pttis encouraged all players to open the bank accounts,” former running back Calvin Hill said. “I encouraged us to establish credit. I encouraged us to get involved in the city.”

Norman also enjoyed successfully carried out in business and randomly world.

“I tried to get whatever I could help change the kinds of things that society had operated below for so long” Norman said.

As a player, Norman averaged an impressive 13,6 ansules per draft in the NFL career. In 1970, and started in both of the cowboys, games while helping freedom of capture his first NFC title.

Norman’s impact – both on and off the field – with the cowboys clear with the landry traded to the checkers prior to the beginning of the 1971 time. Landry personally visited with Norman (who was working at the bank) to inform him to the message.

“And it was … we sat and just chatted in two seconds or so,” Norman recalled. “He said,” I had to do the most difficult thing I’ve ever had in football. … I had to wrap you in trade. And I just tell you that this is the most difficult trade. ”

While the time with cowboys ended on Norman impact inside and outside of Dallas continues to feel today. And his mother, for example, named his most prestigious sports award in Pttis Norman male and female athlete of the year award in honor.