Moran Norris
Encyclopedia
Torrance Moran Norris (ˈmɒrən); born June 16, 1978) is an American football
fullback
for the San Francisco 49ers
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Kansas
.
Norris has also played for the Houston Texans
and Detroit Lions
.
in the 4th round (115th overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft
. Norris played his entire season with the Saints before being waived on September 17, 2002.
on September 18, 2002. He was a member of the Texans through the 2005 season. In 2005, Norris played in all 16 games with five starts and had one reception for four yards and 12 special teams tackles.
by the 49ers in 2006. That season, he helped 49ers running back
Frank Gore
rush for 1,695 yards and earn a Pro Bowl
selection. Norris caught two passes for touchdowns that season; one of those coming in the season finale against the Denver Broncos
, helping to knock them out of the playoffs.
Norris was released by the 49ers during final cuts on August 30, 2008.
on 9 October 2008 after running back
Marcus Thomas
was waived. Norris was released before the team's next game on 12 October 2008 when quarterback
Drew Henson
was promoted to the active roster. Norris was once again signed by the Lions on 13 October 2008 after safety Gerald Alexander
was put on the injured reserve list.
on February 27, 2009. The three-year, $5 million contract included a $1.5-million signing bonus.
Nearly one out of every four people in Central-Southwest Houston is without a high school diploma. One out of every three households lives below the federal poverty level. The majority of students at these schools are considered at-risk of dropping out of school. Central-Southwest Houston contains a collection of subdivisions separated by underdeveloped land, old land fills, and many heavy industries. The neighborhoods are plagued with unemployment, single-parent homes, gang violence, juvenile delinquency, reduction in home ownership, and high school drop-outs. According to the 2000 Census, the population is 42,000, of which 15,000 are children (ages 0–19).
In collaboration with the Houston ISD south region and other local partners, the foundation proposes to provide students, teachers and parents with programs and resources to combat the challenges associated with at-risk behaviors, student drop-outs, and poor attendance/tardiness. The approach includes incentives, preventative interventions that target the larger community via after school programs, athletics programs and character education programs. And for every student the foundation encounters, their goal is to ensure that each student will set educational and career goals and make every effort to reach those goals.
Over the past several years, in the San Francisco area, Moran has “adopted” two group of students in the Brother2Brother/Sister2Sister Mentoring Program and Brothers Against Guns as part of his Foundation’s initiatives. Norris hosts the youngsters at 49ers games, provides them with financial support and teaches them the importance of life skills, education, goal setting, hard work and good character.
The Foundation also has an annual football camp and fundraising dinner each year in June. The camp features individualized instruction from a host of NFL Players. Past participants of the camp have included Frank Gore
, Kentwan Balmer
, Tarell Brown
, Nate Clements
, Dashon Goldson
, Parys Haralson
and Michael Robinson of the San Francisco 49ers
, Travis Johnson
of the Houston Texans
, Travis Fisher
and Kevin Smith
of the Detroit Lions
, Shaun Rodgers and Robaire Smith
of the Cleveland Browns
, Charlie Anderson
of the Miami Dolphins
and Ronald Fields
of the Denver Broncos
. The foundation also hosts a dinner to assist with fundraising efforts. A portion the fundraiser income will go towards the production of Prime Time Love, a new reality show starring former 49ers player Deion Sanders
. Past keynote speakers include Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas and Pro Bowl running back Deuce McAllister
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks football
The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
.
Norris has also played for the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
.
Early years
Moran graduated from Madison High School in Houston, Texas in 1996.New Orleans Saints
He was drafted by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the 4th round (115th overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. Norris played his entire season with the Saints before being waived on September 17, 2002.
Houston Texans
A day after being waived by the Saints, Norris was claimed off waived by the Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on September 18, 2002. He was a member of the Texans through the 2005 season. In 2005, Norris played in all 16 games with five starts and had one reception for four yards and 12 special teams tackles.
First stint with 49ers
Norris was signed as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the 49ers in 2006. That season, he helped 49ers running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
rush for 1,695 yards and earn a Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection. Norris caught two passes for touchdowns that season; one of those coming in the season finale against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, helping to knock them out of the playoffs.
Norris was released by the 49ers during final cuts on August 30, 2008.
Detroit Lions
Norris was signed by the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
on 9 October 2008 after running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Marcus Thomas
Marcus Thomas (running back)
Marcus Bernard Thomas is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
was waived. Norris was released before the team's next game on 12 October 2008 when quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Drew Henson
Drew Henson
Drew Daniel Henson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and National Football League quarterback. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
was promoted to the active roster. Norris was once again signed by the Lions on 13 October 2008 after safety Gerald Alexander
Gerald Alexander
Gerald Alexander is an American football safety who plays for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was selected from Boise State in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft as the 61st overall selection.-Early years:...
was put on the injured reserve list.
Second stint with 49ers
An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Norris was re-signed by the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
on February 27, 2009. The three-year, $5 million contract included a $1.5-million signing bonus.
Moran Norris Foundation
The Moran Norris Foundation was started in 2005. Moran and his wife Tamara, both Houston natives created the foundation to help at-risk students achieve their goals.Nearly one out of every four people in Central-Southwest Houston is without a high school diploma. One out of every three households lives below the federal poverty level. The majority of students at these schools are considered at-risk of dropping out of school. Central-Southwest Houston contains a collection of subdivisions separated by underdeveloped land, old land fills, and many heavy industries. The neighborhoods are plagued with unemployment, single-parent homes, gang violence, juvenile delinquency, reduction in home ownership, and high school drop-outs. According to the 2000 Census, the population is 42,000, of which 15,000 are children (ages 0–19).
In collaboration with the Houston ISD south region and other local partners, the foundation proposes to provide students, teachers and parents with programs and resources to combat the challenges associated with at-risk behaviors, student drop-outs, and poor attendance/tardiness. The approach includes incentives, preventative interventions that target the larger community via after school programs, athletics programs and character education programs. And for every student the foundation encounters, their goal is to ensure that each student will set educational and career goals and make every effort to reach those goals.
Over the past several years, in the San Francisco area, Moran has “adopted” two group of students in the Brother2Brother/Sister2Sister Mentoring Program and Brothers Against Guns as part of his Foundation’s initiatives. Norris hosts the youngsters at 49ers games, provides them with financial support and teaches them the importance of life skills, education, goal setting, hard work and good character.
The Foundation also has an annual football camp and fundraising dinner each year in June. The camp features individualized instruction from a host of NFL Players. Past participants of the camp have included Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
, Kentwan Balmer
Kentwan Balmer
-San Francisco 49ers:Balmer was selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, 29th overall. He was originally drafted as a DT but was moved to DE due to the Niners 3-4 defensive scheme....
, Tarell Brown
Tarell Brown
Tarell Brown is a professional American football player for the San Francisco 49ers.-High school career:He played for North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. Tarell Brown played in the 2003 U.S...
, Nate Clements
Nate Clements
Nathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
, Dashon Goldson
Dashon Goldson
Dashon Goldson is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Dashon started playing football with the Tri-City Falcons which is a Pop Warner team in Harbor City, California...
, Parys Haralson
Parys Haralson
Parys Sharron Haralson is a linebacker in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 5th round in the 2006 NFL Draft. He went to Tennessee where he played defensive end.-Early years:Haralson attended Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi...
and Michael Robinson of the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, Travis Johnson
Travis Johnson
Travis Johnson is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
of the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Travis Fisher
Travis Fisher
Travis Lamon Fisher is an American football cornerback who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith (running back)
Kevin Smith is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Florida.-Early years:Smith attended Southridge High School...
of the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, Shaun Rodgers and Robaire Smith
Robaire Smith
Robaire Fredrick Smith is an American football player who is currently a free agent.-High school and college career:...
of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Charlie Anderson
Charlie Anderson
Charlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
of the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Ronald Fields
Ronald Fields
Ronald Fields is an American football nose tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
of the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The foundation also hosts a dinner to assist with fundraising efforts. A portion the fundraiser income will go towards the production of Prime Time Love, a new reality show starring former 49ers player Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
. Past keynote speakers include Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas and Pro Bowl running back Deuce McAllister
Deuce McAllister
Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
.