Published February 27, 2013 - 9:30am
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While some former SEC players competed in the NFL Combine in hopes of having a continued career at the ultimate level, others’ careers don’t end so well. Vanderbilt running back and return specialist Warren Norman confirmed his career was over Tuesday night because of thinning cartilage in his knees.
Norman electrified the SEC as a freshman in 2009 when he rushed for 783 yards and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. And he owns SEC freshman records with 1,941 all-purpose yards and 1,050 kickoff return yards.
Norman spoke to the Tennessean’s Jeff Lockridge Tuesday night.
“I’m 100 percent sure I’m not coming back,” Norman said. “It’s my right knee that had surgery, but my left knee is pretty much the same thing. The cartilage is wearing down pretty fast and it’s bothering me right now. The doctor told me basically I wouldn’t be able to play on it.
“I’m sad that I can’t play football anymore,” he said. “I always tried to play through it. It wasn’t to the point where it was absolutely killing me, but it was to the point where I couldn’t perform the way I wanted to.”
Norman’s departure leaves Vandy’s running back depth chart thin with returners Wesley Tate, Brian Kimbrow and Jerron Seyour this spring. The Commodores will welcome incoming freshman Rapheal Webb this summer.
Norman finished his career with 1,317 yards rushing and 1,660 kickoff return yards with 12 total touchdowns.
Photo credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE
