You probably won’t find this hard to believe, but former Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman isn’t going to stop talking anytime soon.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because as we found out plenty of times the past couple years, Norman isn’t just a clown show. Behind the trash talk and Batman facade is a guy who’s often introspective.
After spending his Saturday hobnobbing with D.C.’s elites at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Norman penned a post on Monday for The Players’ Tribune. He didn’t reveal anything new about his sudden divorce from the Panthers, but here are a few notable nuggets from the piece:
On the Panthers and their decision to rescind the franchise tag
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. And to be honest with you, I thought my 2014 was better than my 2015. Watch the tape ...,
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.
But the business sent me to junior college. The business made me a fifth-rounder. The business cuts the average NFL player after three years. The Panthers made a business decision.
Was it a good one? We will see.
On his trip to the NFL Draft four years ago
I showed up for the 2012 NFL draft in New York City thinking I was a Day 1 or 2 pick. I had agents telling me I was projected for Day 3, and I just couldn’t believe it. I’m sitting in the green room, and the second round goes by. Then the third round. And nobody called my name.
I went out into the seats at Radio City Music Hall and listened to the names of guys I knew I was better than getting called before mine. I watched them walk on stage and get their hat, and I was gritting my teeth. I was so disgusted that I flew back home to South Carolina that night.
On the call he finally received in the fifth round of that draft
It was Steve Wilks, the DB coach of the Panthers.
He said, “Hey, anybody else call you yet?”
I said, “No, sir. You guys are the first ones.”
He’s like, “O.K., well, don’t talk to anybody else because we’re taking you right here with this pick.”
All I could think to say was, “What took y’all guys so long?”
Coach started laughing.
I said, “I’m going to do everything I can to prove everybody wrong. Every single damn day. We’re gonna do some great things together.”
The whole Red Robin erupted. My family was going crazy.
Was I happy? I was not. I was pissed. Because that’s just who I am. That’s how I got here. Fourteen other cornerbacks went before me. I wrote those names down. Oh yeah, I did. Very few people believed in me, and I’ll never forget that.
On his battle last season with Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
When Odell and I went at one another last year, people got mad. Imagine that. People who watch this sport every Sunday and say they love it actually pretended to be offended. They don’t see the beauty in it. They don’t see the truth.
The guy lining up across from me, he knows the truth. There are a lot of people who watch this game, or who are paid to commentate on it, who might not understand the true reality. They might get offended. They might think we’re animals.
But Odell and I, we know the truth. Anybody who makes it to this level knows it. The truth is that on the football field, he’s trying to steal my bologna, and I’m trying to steal his.