Norman finds Buffalo suits him well
After rough stint in Washington, cornerback ‘at peace’ in new home
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.—Josh Norman isn’t sure he once would have been so patient with the numerous career setbacks he has endured over the past year.
“You catch me four years ago, five years ago, it probably would’ve been a different story. But now, I’m at peace,” the Buffalo Bills’ 32-year-old cornerback said.
“My chip on my shoulder, I don’t know. I didn’t find myself. I was an angry person. I think there were a lot of things going on to where I didn’t quite figure it out yet. I’m just truly grateful that my mind’s perspective on a lot of things has changed for the good.”
As the AFC East-leading Bills (8-3) prepare to play the San Francisco 49ers (5-6) in Arizona on Monday night, nothing seems capable of wiping the smile off Norman’s face. Not what he calls the dark memory of being cast out by Washington in February after four inconsistent seasons and with one more year left on his contract. Not the nagging hamstring injury that sidelined him for six games, or landing on the COVID-19 list to miss a seventh.
Norman was so upbeat after testing positive, he released a video thanking fans for their support, assuring them he was fine, and expressing sympathy for those who had it worse.
And forget about being reminded of being viciously shoved to the ground by Titans running Derrick Henry on national TV in October, which prompted the commentator to question whether Norman should consider playing again. Erupting into a hearty laugh, Norman said these things happen before noting what people don’t remember is how he bounced back after the hit during the 42-16 loss at Tennessee on Oct. 13. On the next two plays, Norman tackled Henry for a five-yard gain, and then broke up a pass intended for A.J. Brown to eventually force the Titans to punt.
“It is what it is,” he said of being bulldozed by Henry. “But the next couple of plays, you’re going to see me. Trust me. I’m here all day. You’re going to feel me. It happened, and then I came back from it.”
It’s one of the few times during a wide-ranging, 22-minute video interview in which Norman showed a hint of the fiery competitor that once made him one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks and, at the same time, among the more notorious trash-talkers during eight seasons split between Carolina and Washington.
Norman cashed in on his most productive season in 2015, when he earned his first and only all-pro honour and helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl, by signing a five-year,
$75-million (U.S.) contract with Washington. But even that moment came with disappointment, with Norman upset over how the Panthers rescinded their franchise tag in allowing him to become a free agent.
That’s in the past for Norman, who spent a majority of the session citing his faith in God, quoting Mahatma Gandhi and sharing how he’s quickly grown to love Buffalo for its people and as a place.
“You think about New York, you think about busy streetlights and all that other stuff,” said Norman, who is from South Carolina.
“But coming to Buffalo, it’s kind of got a little southern taste. So that’s a good feeling ... I felt like I was home.”