Many people have wondered if Kendrick Norton, the former NFL player who lost his arm in a car accident, is related to Ken Norton, the legendary boxer who once defeated Muhammad Ali. The two share the same last name and both have ties to the state of Florida, where Kendrick was born and Ken lived for many years. However, the truth is that they are not related by blood or by marriage.
Who is Kendrick Norton?
Kendrick Norton is a former American football defensive tackle who played college football at the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but was later signed by the Miami Dolphins
On July 4, 2019, Kendrick was involved in a horrific car accident that resulted in his left arm being amputated at the scene. He survived the crash, but his NFL career was effectively over. He later received support from the league and the Dolphins, who covered his medical bills and gave him a full-season salary
Kendrick has since become an inspirational figure, sharing his story and his positive outlook on life. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, such as raising awareness and funds for amputees and organ donors
Who is Ken Norton?
Ken Norton was an African-American professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He won the WBC world heavyweight championship in 1978, after defeating Jimmy Young in a title eliminator bout
He is best known for his trilogy of fights with Muhammad Ali, in which he won the first by split decision, breaking Ali’s jaw in the process, lost the second by split decision, and lost the third by a controversial unanimous decision. He also fought a close and thrilling match with Larry Holmes in 1978, losing his title by a narrow split decision
Ken retired from boxing in 1981, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. He later pursued a career in acting, appearing in several movies and TV shows. He also wrote an autobiography titled Going the Distance: The Ken Norton Story
He died on September 18, 2013, at the age of 70, after suffering from several health issues, including a stroke and a heart attack. He was survived by his three sons, Ken Jr., Keith, and Brandon, all of whom played professional football
Are They Related?
Despite the similarities in their names and backgrounds, Kendrick Norton and Ken Norton are not related in any way. They do not share any common ancestors or relatives, nor did they ever meet or interact with each other.
According to Wikipedia, Kendrick’s full name is Kendrick Norton Jr., and he is the son of Kendrick Norton Sr., who played college football at Florida A&M University His mother’s name is Tess Stephens
According to Britannica, Ken’s full name was Kenneth Howard Norton Sr., and he was the son of Harry Lee Norton and Mary Louise (Barnes) Norton His first wife was Jeannette Brinson, with whom he had two sons, Ken Jr. and Keith. His second wife was Jacqueline Halton, with whom he had one son, Brandon. His third wife was Rose Conant, whom he married in 2007
Therefore, there is no evidence or indication that Kendrick Norton and Ken Norton are related by blood or by marriage.
Conclusion
Kendrick Norton and Ken Norton are two remarkable athletes who have overcome adversity and achieved success in their respective fields. However, they are not related to each other in any way, despite sharing the same last name and having some connections to Florida. They are simply two individuals who happen to have similar names and careers.
