The thrill-seeking, globetrotting All-Pro cornerback on the rise of athlete activism, running with the bulls in Spain and how he ended up in the Anfield stands for that Liverpool-Barcelona match
You might think the high-stakes, white-knuckle lifestyle of an NFL defensive back would generate enough adrenaline to satisfy even the most voracious thrill-seeker. Not for Josh Norman, the nine-year veteran who has been known to spend his offseasons in pursuit of the next ultimate high: whether it’s jumping out of planes, flying with the US Navy’s Blue Angels, driving stock cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway or running with the bulls in Pamplona.
The 33-year-old cornerback took the long road to NFL stardom, going from a walk-on at Coastal Carolina University after receiving no scholarship offers out of high school to the All-Pro first team with the Carolina Panthers during their charmed Super Bowl season in 2015. His yen for new experiences is matched only by a dogged commitment to giving back through Starz24, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation he launched as a rookie, which to date has donated more than $3.4m to youth organizations and nonprofits.
Redskins CB Josh Norman is out here JUMPING OVER bulls in Pamplona pic.twitter.com/QzZhg02Any
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
