Prior To Rejoining The Panthers, Josh Norman Was Employed As A Barista At Coffee Shop

Josh Norman signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team that selected him more than ten years ago, on Monday. And it appears that he has come back with a little more flavour.

Following his first session back on Wednesday, the 35-year-old cornerback had a conversation with team reporter Kristen Balboni. He acknowledged that just a week earlier, he had been at work in his coffee shop.

Prior To Rejoining The Panthers, Josh Norman Was Employed As A Barista At Coffee Shop

The Panthers went to an Atlanta coffee shop for help after cornerback Jaycee Horn got hurt.

As it turned out, Carolina discovered veteran cornerback Josh Norman working at Omni Coffee & Eggs, the company owned by his mother, and on Monday, the 35-year-old was re-signed. The former Pro Bowler is more prepared than most baristas to make the switch from creating beautiful lattes to stuffing the NFL’s top receivers.

Since last year, when he started 14 games for the 49ers and forced a career-high seven turnovers, Josh Norman hasn’t participated in any games. The veteran did what any 35-year-old job-seeker would do because it was obvious that his performance wasn’t good enough to land him a job with any organisation this year.

Employed by Starbucks!

When questioned about his recent activities by the Panthers’ internal media staff, Josh Norman responded, “I was slinging coffee in a coffee shop. “Working as a barista, serving customers. It was also really cool.”

“It truly was about charity and giving back to these kids and helping [Carolina interim coach Steve Wilks] out as much as we could,” Norman said on his return, via ESPN’s David Newton. “What I love about Wilks is he has that same mindset to want to give back. It’s just truly an honor for us to be here.”

“Well, he’s definitely not in game shape. I can promise you that,” Wilks said, via The Charlotte Observer. “But he’s definitely in shape: The way he can move, plant, drive and change direction. So when you start talking about game shape, you’ve got to put a cap on the number of plays that he could possibly play.

“He has experience in this league, he brings veteran leadership and, most importantly, I feel like he possesses our DNA,” Wilks continued, via The Observer. “I know him personally. He played for me, he understands the culture that we’ve tried to create here and the element of play that we’re looking for.”

 

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