Pettis Norman, NFL Star and Activist, Dies at 86

Pettis Norman, a former Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers tight end and pioneering civil rights advocate, has died at age 86. Norman played 12 seasons in the NFL and was a key part of the Cowboys’ first Super Bowl team, finishing his career with 183 receptions, 2,492 yards, and 15 touchdowns. Off the field, he was pivotal in ending racial segregation within the Cowboys’ organization and convincing coach Tom Landry to stop assigning hotel rooms by race. Norman later became one of Dallas’s first Black banking executives and founded the Dallas Together Forum to promote minority hiring and business opportunities. He passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family, and tributes have come from former teammates, community leaders, and his alma mater, Johnson C. Smith University. Norman’s legacy is marked by leadership, community commitment, and significant contributions to sports and civil rights.