Josh Norman: League-wide hit out on Odell Beckham
Josh Norman isn’t one to hold back. Whether he’s bringing it to Max Kellerman on ESPN’s First Take or taunting Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas on Twitter, Norman is unfiltered.
He may have put his foot in his mouth however, with his recent comments on Odell Beckham, Jr. In the latest ESPN magazine, Norman stirred visions of Bountygate when he said several NFL players have a “hit” out on the Giants’ talented receiver.
"“Everybody saw what he was. People from around the league were coming up to me afterward and saying, ‘He does that crap all the time.’ He lost so much respect from people for that little tantrum. I’ve already got a couple people telling me, ‘OK, I’ve got a hit out on him.’ It’s going to be rough for him this year. And he brought it on himself.” – Norman’s cryptic comments about Beckham"
On the heels of criticizing league commissioner, Roger Goodell, Norman’s choice of words pertaining to Beckham may not have been the wisest.
Norman, a great player in his own right, is clearly and understandably frustrated his name has become synonymous with Beckham’s. He’s been, arguably, the best corner in the NFL for two seasons. Yet, his name ascended only after his infamous battle with Beckham, when his Carolina Panthers met the New York Giants in week 15 of the 2015 season.
It was a foul-filled contest that saw both players draw multiple penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. Beckham was suspended for the Giants’ next game after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Norman in the fourth quarter.
Norman and Beckham have traded barbs ever since, in the press and on social media. This past offseason, Norman signed with the Giants’ division rival Washington Redskins, ensuring he’d match up against Beckham twice a year. Beckham told GQ Magazine in July, “The reason he’s become so relevant is because of me.”
"“If I wasn’t playing him twice a year, maybe people wouldn’t bring it up as much,” Beckham says. “But now it’ll be a lot more media attention for him.” – Beckham, to GQ, on Josh Norman"
Beckham has a point, and Norman has spent the past few months reiterating it. Norman only seems to make national headlines when he’s taking jabs at others, be they Goodell, Thomas or Beckham himself.
More recently, Norman took a gig as a TV analyst for Fox. In an article on Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback, Norman says he hadn’t told Redskins executives about the job at that point.
"“I haven’t told Coach [Jay] Gruden or [defensive coordinator Joe] Barry yet, but I’ll give them a nice shout out on TV.” – Josh Norman on Fox Sports job"
By all accounts, Norman still works as hard as ever on the football field. There must be at least some cause for concern about his foray into the world of viral media however. At this time last year, Norman was known as a shutdown cornerback who didn’t get enough praise. Today, many are tired of hearing about him.
He has attached himself to Odell Beckham, and used that buzz as a stepping stone into stardom and the attention which comes with it. The former fifth round pick out of Coastal Carolina University who fought his way into the league would’ve preferred to let his play do the talking.
Perhaps we’re seeing the transition of Josh Norman from great football player to recognizable name who may not play with the same hunger. Perhaps he’s having trouble with living up to his newfound fame and the pressure of his $75 million contract.
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Whatever the case, Norman has put himself on everyone’s radar for all the wrong reasons. He felt slighted by the Panthers, who he says wanted everything to be about Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly. In Washington, he is ‘the man’ unquestionably, but only time will tell if he can live up to the immense pressure he’s put squarely on his own shoulders.