The Miami Dolphins announced Tuesday that it will partner with the National Football League to pay for defensive tackle Kendrick Norton’s medical bills following his arm amputation and multiple surgeries after a brutal July 3 car accident.
The Accident
Norton (22) saw his football career end last week in the early hours of the day after he and two other passengers collided with a concrete barrier on Dolphin Expressway. Norton needed to have his arm amputated at the scene of the crash after his truck rolled over to its roof pinning him inside. Although the injury was not life threatening, he was rushed to a hospital where he endured multiple surgeries to the arm. He was also treated for a head injury endured in the crash.
Miami working its magic
The Dolphins claimed Norton off the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in December, and although he never played a snap for the Dolphins or the NFL, Miami took no time in turning the tragedy into a class act.
Miami is working with the NFL to place Norton on the Non-Football Injury list (NFI). This would give the Dolphins the option to pay or not pay the salary he would have received if he made the 53-man roster. According to multiple reports, Norton was slated to make the 53-man roster and compete for a starting spot. As Norton will likely be added to the NFI, the Dolphins will pay him $495,000 in salary in addition to covering his medical costs. In addition, the NFI will allow Norton to remain under the Dolphins’ insurance, lowering that cost, as well as have it during rehabilitation as he works toward a prosthetic arm.
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GoFundMe created for Norton
On Tuesday morning, the NFL reached out to Norton and said all his medical costs would be covered. The information was made available to the public via a GoFundMe post on the page set up for him.
“The NFL reached out to Kendrick [Tuesday] morning to let him know that all of his medical costs will be covered. This is great news, but with his career over and no source of income currently, this has put a tremendous amount of financial strain on Kendrick and his family. Any continued support is appreciated. Thank you all,” the page said.
The GoFundMe goal is $150,000 and currently sits above $10,000 after launching Monday night.
As of Tuesday, Norton has had three arm surgeries, while needing at least two more, before any movement toward rehab and talks of prosthetics can happen. There are no details on what the numerous surgeries have included at this time.
FPC Dolphins will update this story and the status of Norton as it progresses.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @mortonsalt74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
