Jim Norton (safety)
No. 43 | |||||||||||||||||
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Position: | Safety Punter | ||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
Born: | Glendale, California, U.S. | October 20, 1938||||||||||||||||
Died: | June 12, 2007 Garland, Texas, U.S. | (aged 68)||||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||
High school: | Fullerton Union (Fullerton, California) | ||||||||||||||||
College: | Idaho | ||||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1960 / Round: 7 / Pick: 75 | ||||||||||||||||
AFL draft: | 1960 / Round: First selections | ||||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||
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Career AFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
James Charles Norton (October 20, 1938 – June 12, 2007) was an American professional football safety and punter who played for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL). An original member of the Oilers franchise, he played in their first nine seasons from 1960 to 1968. Norton was an AFL All-Star for three seasons and holds the league's record for career interceptions. His jersey No. 43 was the first of eight retired by the Oilers/Titans franchise.[1]
Early years
Born and raised in
Professional career
Although Norton intercepted only one pass in his rookie season in 1960, he went on to become the AFL's all-time interception leader.[5] In 1961, his first starting season, he snared nine passes and punted with a 40.7-yard average. In a tight defensive duel in the AFL Championship Game, his four booming punts helped Houston defeat the San Diego Chargers, 10-3, claiming their second AFL championship in as many seasons.
While nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division in Week 12 of the
As a defensive back, Norton was a steady tackler with a nose for the football.
See also
References
- ^ Manfull, Megan (June 19, 2007). "Original Oiler Jim Norton passes away at 68". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ Missildine, Harry (December 24, 1962). "Idaho grads get their kicks". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 8.
- ^ "1960 Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ a b "Jim Norton dies; jersey one of six retired by Oilers". ESPN. Associated Press. June 18, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ "Norton hangs up jersey". Rome News-Tribune. (Georgia). UPI photo. April 16, 1969. p. 13.
- ^ a b Bishop, Jim (June 22, 2007). "Houston Oilers: the magic never faded". Victoria Advocate. (Texas). p. B1.
Additional sources
- Miller, Jeff (2003). Going Long: The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League In the Words of Those Who Lived It. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-141849-0.
- Gruver, Ed (1997). The American Football League: A Year-By-Year History, 1960–1969. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-7864-0399-3.
External links
- Idaho Vandals Athletics Hall of Fame profile
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference ·
- Tennessee Titans – Titans/Oilers Hall of Fame
- Jim Norton at Find a Grave
- Gallery of Jim Norton football cards