| No. 73 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1966-01-23)January 23, 1966 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | November 24, 1989(1989-11-24) (aged 23) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | ||||||
| Weight | 285 lb (129 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | O. Perry Walker (New Orleans, Louisiana) | ||||||
| College | LSU | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1989: 2nd round, 38th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Ralph E. Norwood (January 23, 1966 – November 24, 1989) was an American professionalfootballoffensive tackle in theNational Football League (NFL). He played 11 games with theAtlanta Falcons in 1989.[1] He was killed in anautomobile accident.
Norwood was born inNew Orleans, Louisiana to Roy and Elaine Norwood. Norwood was a talented football player, standing 6 ft 7in tall and weighing over 200 lbs in high school, he was formidable on the line. After graduation, he attended LSU and was redshirted his freshman year. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the1989 NFL draft.[2]Norwood died in a one-car accident on November 24, 1989. Norwood was alone in his car when he crossed over a lane of oncoming traffic, traveled down an embankment and struck a tree.[3] Drugs and alcohol were not found to be factors in the accident.[4] Norwood died eleven games into the 1989 season; he had played in each game and started one game.[3]
The year before Norwood's death, Falcons cornerbackDavid Croudip died of a cocaine overdose. After Norwood's death, Falcons playerMike Kenn commented on the two losses, saying, "There's not a whole lot you can say about this. Once is too much, twice is ridiculous."[5] Less than four weeks after Norwood's accident, Falcons tight endBrad Beckman died when he apparently fell asleep while driving on any icy highway, striking a tree.[6]