http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/14/norman-hand-dead-dies-at_n_577118.html Norman Hand Dead Dies Get Breaking News Alerts Norman Hand, a defensive tackle who played in the NFL for nearly a decade, died Friday in South Carolina, according to WCSC. He was 37. A cause of death has not been released, but a coroner said foul play was not involved. Hand's family released a statement: "Our beloved Norman was brought to the hospital earlier today. He was unresponsive and resuscitation not successful. He passed away early this afternoon surrounded by his family. Respect for our family will be greatly appreciated as we mourn this incomprehensible loss. We ask that you focus on Norman's life and the contributions he made rather than on his untimely death." Hand grew up in Walterboro, S.C. and attended college at Ole Miss. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1995. He played on the Dolphins for just one season, but went on to play for the Chargers, Saints, Seahawks and Giants. Hand finished his NFL career in New York in 2004. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, he was a second-team All-Pro lineman in 2000.
"Hand Pulls Groin" I cannot recall whether or not that was a real headline. Maybe I was just hoping it was after Hand suffered a season-ending groin injury with the Giants. I found something. Thing was I thought I saw "Hand Pulls Groin" in an actual newspaper, but, again, maybe I didn't.
The ironic twist in all of this is that my late brother actually taught at the same HS he attended ... Colleton County High School in South Carolina. I remember when he was on that Dline with Grady Jackson and ....dam who was the other massive monster he played with?
I don't remember them having a nickname but Darren Howard and/or Charles Grant may have been on that DL too giving them quite a formidable tandem.
Hand, who played for five NFL teams, dies at 37 of heart disease http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81821146&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true Associated Press WALTERBORO, S.C. -- An autopsy has showed that former NFL defensive tackle Norman Hand died of heart disease when he collapsed at his South Carolina home. Norman Hand, DT Career Statistics Experience: 10 seasons Sacks: 22.5 Interceptions: 2 Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said Saturday the 37-year-old Hand's death was from natural causes. Hand collapsed at his home in Walterboro Friday morning and died about 90 minutes later at a local hospital. His family was with him when he died. Hand's 10-year NFL career included playing stints with the Dolphins, Saints, Chargers, Seahawks and Giants. Hand, who had 22.5 career sacks, was drafted in the fifth round by the Dolphins in 1995 after playing at Mississippi.
...and that ladies and gents is his legacy. Seriously though, I met him back in '04 and he was a cool dude. Really funny. Sad to hear this.
