Norman not joshing about NFL realities
Carolina is still on Josh Norman’s mind.
The new Washington Redskins cornerback wrote in a column for The Players’ Tribune on Monday that there were “sticks and stones” thrown at him after the Carolina Panthers rescinded their franchise tag on him last month.
Norman, who had four interceptions in 2015 for the NFC champion Panthers, signed a fiveyear, $ 75- millon contract with the Redskins.
“Thing is, some people will never get over the name on my degree.” wrote Norman, who attended Coastal Carolina. “One hit wonder. Greedy. Trash talker. I hear it all. I hear you. What do you want me to say? Did I want to stay in Carolina? I did. One day you’re the hero, the next day they’re throwing sticks and stones. That’s the business. I get it. I got love for you, Carolina. Nothing but love.”
Norman cemented himself as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks while helping lead the Panthers to the Super Bowl.
“For four years, I gave everything to the Carolina Panthers. I bled for that jersey. We reached some great heights together, all the way to the Super Bowl,” Norman said. “And to be honest with you, I thought my 2014 was better than my 2015. Watch the tape.”
The business of the NFL was part of why Norman is no longer a Panther and now a Redskin.
Carolina was on the hook to pay Norman $ 13.9 million as a franchise player after the two parties couldn’t agree on a longterm deal.
“The business sent me to junior college,” Norman said. “The business made me a fifthrounder. The business cuts the average NFL player after three years. The Panthers made a business decision. Was it a good one? We will see.”