Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 81 Days (Joe Norman)
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Written By Alex Compton (@Alexncompton)
#81
The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kick-off has begun! There are now 81 days until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2017 season against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Currently there is no player assigned to number 81, so we will take a peek at the past at one of the best linebackers in IU Football history, Joe Norman.
Joe Norman (Legacy Hoosier)
-Height: 6’2”
-Weight: 218 pounds
-Hometown: Millersburg, Ohio
-Position: Linebacker
Joe Norman came to Indiana during the absolute peak of their basketball success under former coach Bobby Knight. IUFB was coming off a 1-10 season, but Norman trusted a ball coach by the name of Lee Corso enough to come to Bloomington anyways. Over his career, Norman would rack up insane stats that eventually allowed him to become a four-year letter winner and a co-captain and team MVP his junior and senior seasons. He earned All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1978, was second-team NEA All-America and played in the Hula Bowl, which are just a few of his impressive accolades. Norman was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, and shared some great stories of his days at IU, which are referenced from an interview done by Aaron Dorksen of the Daily Record in Wooster, Ohio. (Story below).
“After Norman's senior year Knight asked to meet with him and this time complimented Joe "on his play. "He actually offered to be my agent for the NFL," Norman said, "which I thought was very nice. He represented his players, like Kent Benson, for free in the NBA back then. I already had someone I'd asked, but it was hard to say no to him. I was blown away by the offer." Norman and Knight will be linked in the future as both of their HOF busts will stand next to each other.”
Norman was selected in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks, where he became a starter at middle linebacker in his second season before ending his career after four years. He was so honored to be included in the Hall of Fame here at Indiana University, and will go down as one of the best defenders to ever wear “Indiana” across his chest. Be sure to read his full interview below, and also be sure to check out some game film of him on the Hoosiers (#35) in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV2qrdKKZAA