American football player (1972–2010)
American football player
Norman Lamont Hand (September 4, 1972 – May 14, 2010)[1] was an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL draft.[2] He last played with the New York Giants in 2004. He also played with the Seattle Seahawks, the New Orleans Saints, the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. With the Saints, Hand was part of a defensive line nicknamed "The Heavy Lunch Bunch", along with fellow 325-pounders Martin Chase and Grady Jackson. Hand was noted for his "Big Wiggle" celebration dance,[3] and in 2000 he was part of the team that won the Saints' first playoff game.[4]
Early life
At Walterboro High School in Walterboro, South Carolina, Hand earned three letters in football, and also played baseball. As a senior, he was an honorable mention All-America selection by Parade and USA Today, and was the South Carolina High School Defensive Lineman of the Year. As a junior tight end, he caught 25 passes for 526 yards (21.04 yards per reception average).
College career
At Itawamba Junior College in Mississippi, he finished his two-year career with 18 sacks, 135 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Hand was a two-year starter at the University of Mississippi after transferring from Itawamba Junior College. As a senior, he posted 3.5 sacks, 61 tackles (three for losses), one interception, and one fumble recovery, and was a second-team All-SEC selection.
Death
Hand died on May 14, 2010, from hypertensive heart disease,[5] after collapsing at his house in Walterboro.[6]
References
- ^ "Former Walterboro, NFL player Norman Hand passes" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, WCSC-TV, May 14, 2010.
- ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Mike Triplett, "New Orleans Saints' Norman Hand remembered as 'one of the good guys'", Times-Picayune, May 14, 2010.
- ^ Richard Goldstein, "Norman Hand, Who Helped Saints to First Playoff Win, Dies at 37", New York Times, May 17, 2010.
- ^ Mike Triplett, "Heart disease caused former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Norman Hand's death", Times-Picayune, May 17, 2010.
- ^ "SC coroner: Ex-NFL player died of heart disease"[permanent dead link], AP at WMBF-TV, May 15, 2010.
