Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton suffered multiple injuries in a car crash on July 4th on State Road 836 near Miami. The injuries were non-life threatening but resulted in Norton’s left arm being amputated. In his first interview since the crash, Norton appears to have a remarkable outlook on his life.
On July 4th, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alex Camacho reported that Norton’s truck crashed into a concrete barrier.
The crash resulted in his truck, a Ford F250, overturning. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews rushed to assist Norton, who was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma center.
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Norton’s agent tweeted confirming the extent of his injuries.
There was an outpouring of support from fellow NFL players, NFL officials, and the public at large wishing Norton strength and as speedy a recovery as possible from this devastating injury.
Norton has finally broken his silence following the crash with an interview with CBS4 in Miami.
“I’m alive. I’m alive to be here, if nothing else, then I’m alive,” Norton says, noting that he is aware how lucky he is to have survived the incident.
Norton maintains a powerful level of gratitude so soon after the accident.
“If you’re able to go through a situation, you should be happy, because a lot of people aren’t going through it. People’s families are buying people, so if you’re alive, you should be grateful.”
He maintains that having a ‘glass half full’ mentality is important to him.
“If you have something in the glass,” Norton said, “you are okay. A lot of people have glasses with not much in them or glasses that are empty. So if your glass is half full, you are okay.”
Norton noted that he is aware that his NFL career is unfortunately over.
“Its not realistic that I’m going to be able to play football anymore, so we’re just working past that. The reality is sinking in on that,” he said. CBS4 reported that the NFL will be covering his medical expenses.
Norton has stated he now wants to organize a blood drive.
In an Instagram post shared earlier today, Norton said “I want to say THANK YOU GOD for life!!” And continued to send gratitude to the people who assisted him during the crash, as well as his family and friends.
His post continued with a simple request.
Norton then made a request asking people to give blood, because “without it, I would have died! It saved my life and many others! Go give!! and donate please and tag me.”
h/t: CBS4
