In a surprise move, the Carolina Panthers brought former star cornerback Josh Norman back on Monday for a second stint with the team.
At age 35, Norman is far removed from the player who earned All-Pro honors for the Panthers’ Super Bowl team in 2015. In fact, at the time the Panthers signed him, he had days earlier been working in a coffee shop.
Norman told team reporter Kristen Balboni that the coffee shop is right across the street in Atlanta from former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s cigar bar.
“I was slinging coffee in a coffee shop,” Norman told Balboni. “Being a barista, serving people. It was quite cool, too.”
His speciality?
“Well, I made a nice espresso,” Norman said. “Really nice. Two shots in every cup. And it was a latte form, so I had to froth the milk. But it got oat milk first. That was the base.”
Norman last played in the NFL in 2021 for the San Francisco 49ers. Interim coach Steve Wilks expects Norman to play Sunday, according to the Charlotte Observer.
The Panthers don’t expect the veteran defensive back to be the shut-down cornerback who had some epic battles with Odell Beckham Jr. They need an experienced corner to help fill the void left by an injury to star cornerback Jaycee Horn, who suffered a broken wrist in Week 16 and will be re-evaluated in 10-12 days following surgery.
Improbably, the 6-9 Panthers hold their postseason fate in their own hands. If they can win their final two games, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend and against the New Orleans Saints in the season finale, they win the NFC South.
[Yahoo Sports, Carolina Panthers]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.