The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL community as a whole are mourning the loss of a great man.
As the team shared on social media, former NFL tight end Pettis Norman has passed away at 86 years old.
Pettis Norman played in the league in the 70s, but he was more popular for his work as an activist.
We mourn the passing of former tight end and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman. Known for his selfless leadership, commitment to community, and dedication to creating equal opportunity, we were incredibly proud and grateful to share his remarkable story recently. For more on… pic.twitter.com/brks4HoLq5
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 8, 2025
He organized civil rights marches in the 60s and 70s.
He attended Johnson C. Smith University before the Dallas Texans took him in the 1962 American Football League draft.
He didn’t play a single snap for them before ultimately joining the Cowboys.
Norman played in Dallas from 1962 to 1970 before finishing his career with the San Diego Chargers in 1973.
Per the Cowboys’ profile, he had a strong influence on legendary head coach Tom Landry, who changed the way hotel rooms were distributed on the team, which was originally by race.
The team also highlighted some of his work as an activist and advocate for civil rights.
Norman was also known for being the founder of the Dallas Together Forum, an initiative that helped influence local corporations to incorporate and hire minorities.
They also worked hard to increase contracts for minority and women-owned businesses.
As an athlete, Norman managed to make 162 appearances in the pros.
He walked away from the game with 183 receptions for 2,492 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns, and while he might not be the most popular player or have the flashiest stats, his impact and legacy will go way beyond the football field.
