The Miami Dolphins have decided to waive former defensive tackle Kendrick Norton and place him on non-football injury reserve after a tragic off-season injury.
This move entitles Norton to receive his 2019 season salary despite not being able to play.
The young defender lost his left arm due to an amputation after a traffic accident in Miami on the July 4th holiday. Police say that Kendrick was driving his Ford pickup truck when he tried to pass another driver. His car rammed into a concrete barrier and flipped, causing Norton to suffer severe injuries.
Norton was lucky to walk away from the accident with his life, but the amputation of his left arm meant that he had to retire from football at the age of 22.
The Miami native was signed by his hometown team last December after spending 2018 as a member of the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. He wasn’t expected to compete for a roster spot in the 2019 season before suffering the injury.
While Norton might not be able to return to the football field, he will at least have the peace of mind of receiving an NFL salary in 2019 as he transitions to life post-football.
He hopes to receive a prosthetic left arm soon to replace the one that was amputated.
