Jim Norton (safety): Difference between revisions
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'''James Charles Norton''' ([[October 20]], [[1938]] — [[June 12]], [[2007]]) was an [[American football]] [[Defensive back|strong safety]] who played for the [[Houston Oilers]] of the [[American Football League]]. |
'''James Charles Norton''' ([[October 20]], [[1938]] — [[June 12]], [[2007]]) was an [[American football]] [[Defensive back|strong safety]] who played for the [[Houston Oilers]] of the [[American Football League]]. |
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Norton played [[college football]] at the [[University of Idaho]]. Drafted by the AFL's [[Kansas City Chiefs|Dallas Texans]], he signed as an original [[Houston Oilers|Houston Oiler]] in 1960.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2907923&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines ESPN "Jim Norton dies; jersey one of six retired by Oilers" June 18, 2007]</ref> Although he intercepted only one pass in his first year, he went on to become the American Football League’s all-time interception leader. During his first starting season, in 1961, he snared nine passes and punted with a 40.7 yard average. In a tight defensive duel in the [[Professional American football championship games|AFL Championship Game]], his four booming punts helped Houston defeat the [[San Diego Chargers]], 10-3. |
Norton played [[college football]] at the [[University of Idaho]]. Drafted by the AFL's [[Kansas City Chiefs|Dallas Texans]], he signed as an original [[Houston Oilers|Houston Oiler]] in 1960.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2907923&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines ESPN "Jim Norton dies; jersey one of six retired by Oilers" June 18, 2007]</ref> Although he intercepted only one pass in his first year, he went on to become the American Football League’s all-time interception leader. During his first starting season, in 1961, he snared nine passes and punted with a 40.7 yard average. In a tight defensive duel in the [[Professional American football championship games|AFL Championship Game]], his four booming punts helped Houston defeat the [[San Diego Chargers]], 10-3. |
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In 1962, nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division in Week 12 of the season, Norton personally tormented [[Denver Broncos]] quarterback [[Frank Tripucka]]. He killed three Bronco drives with interceptions as the Oilers stole a 34-17 victory, eventually reaching the [[Professional American football championship games|Championship Game]] for the third straight year. That thriller for the AFL crown was the league's longest game, a double-overtime contest won by the Dallas Texans, 20-17. |
In 1962, nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division in Week 12 of the season, Norton personally tormented [[Denver Broncos]] quarterback [[Frank Tripucka]]. He killed three Bronco drives with interceptions as the Oilers stole a 34-17 victory, eventually reaching the [[Professional American football championship games|Championship Game]] for the third straight year. That thriller for the AFL crown was the league's longest game, a double-overtime contest won by the Dallas Texans, 20-17. |
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As a defensive back, Norton was a steady tackler with a nose for the football. His play earned him [[American Football League All-Star games|All-AFL]] honors for 1961, ‘62, ‘63, and again in 1967, when he scored the only touchdown of his career, returning an interception 56 yards. His number 43 was retired by the Oilers, acknowledging his club-record 45 career interceptions, which he |
As a defensive back, Norton was a steady tackler with a nose for the football. His play earned him [[American Football League All-Star games|All-AFL]] honors for 1961, ‘62, ‘63, and again in 1967, when he scored the only touchdown of his career, returning an interception 56 yards. His number 43 was retired by the Oilers, acknowledging his club-record 45 career interceptions, which he returned for 592 yards and a touchdown, and 519 punts. <ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2907923&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines ESPN "Jim Norton dies; jersey one of six retired by Oilers" June 18, 2007]</ref> |
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==See also== |
== See also == |
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*[[List of American Football League players|Other American Football League players]] |
* [[List of American Football League players|Other American Football League players]] |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External Links== |
== External Links == |
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*[http://www.conigliofamily.com/Oilers.htm#JIMNORTON Norton's 1967 Topps football card] |
* [http://www.conigliofamily.com/Oilers.htm#JIMNORTON Norton's 1967 Topps football card] |
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* [http://www.houstonprofootball.com/team/ss.html] |
* [http://www.houstonprofootball.com/team/ss.html] |
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* {{cite book |last=Miller |first=Jeff |title=Going Long: The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League In the Words of Those Who Lived It |year=2003 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=0-0714-1849-0}} |
* {{cite book |last=Miller |first=Jeff |title=Going Long: The Wild Ten-Year Saga of the Renegade American Football League In the Words of Those Who Lived It |year=2003 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=0-0714-1849-0}} |
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Revision as of 23:09, 3 September 2007
| Career history | |
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| AFL Houston Oilers | |
James Charles Norton (October 20, 1938 — June 12, 2007) was an American football strong safety who played for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League.
Norton played college football at the University of Idaho. Drafted by the AFL's Dallas Texans, he signed as an original Houston Oiler in 1960.[1] Although he intercepted only one pass in his first year, he went on to become the American Football League’s all-time interception leader. During his first starting season, in 1961, 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.
In 1962, nursing a slim half-game lead in the Eastern Division in Week 12 of the season, Norton personally tormented Denver Broncos quarterback Frank Tripucka. He killed three Bronco drives with interceptions as the Oilers stole a 34-17 victory, eventually reaching the Championship Game for the third straight year. That thriller for the AFL crown was the league's longest game, a double-overtime contest won by the Dallas Texans, 20-17.
As a defensive back, Norton was a steady tackler with a nose for the football. His play earned him All-AFL honors for 1961, ‘62, ‘63, and again in 1967, when he scored the only touchdown of his career, returning an interception 56 yards. His number 43 was retired by the Oilers, acknowledging his club-record 45 career interceptions, which he returned for 592 yards and a touchdown, and 519 punts. [2]
See also
References
External Links
- Norton's 1967 Topps football card
- [1]
- 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 0-0714-1849-0.
- 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.