Zach Thornton's: Clearing the Way--Moran Norris' Story

Some people were born to make an impact on the lives of others. It is not necessarily known to those people how or what their impact will be, they just know that there is something inside of them driving them to help others. Moran Norris is blessed to be one of those people. Norris is the starting fullback for the San Francisco 49ers. In his role as fullback he helped clear the way for running back Frank Gore to amass over 1,000 rushing yards on a yearly basis. But Moran has not settled for just being a pro athlete. In order to fulfill his destiny, Norris has created The Moran Norris Foundation whose goal is to positively impact the lives of the at-risk urban youth.

As a Houston, Texas native, Moran attended Madison High School and then went on to the University of Kansas. While at Kansas he earned two degrees, one in Mass Communications and the other in Special Major Crime and Delinquency, graduating in 2001. In addition to working hard in college, Norris also started at fullback for the University of Kansas Jayhawks and was drafted in the 4^th round of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints in 2001. Norris then went on to play for his hometown Houston Texans from 2002-2005 before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006 where he teamed up with Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore and helped make the way for Gore to rush for nearly 1,700 yards.

Norris continues to put himself in a place where he is able to make the way for others to flourish. Norris is a strong advocate of giving back to his community and being an NFL player has allowed for him to be able to do such. Norris and wife Tamara created The Moran Norris Foundation to provide opportunities for at-risk students to embrace their potential and achieve their goals. “My wife and I started this foundation back in 2005,” Moran Norris said. “We coordinate football camps for young student athletes every June. We put together dinners in partnership with Board members, buying out the restaurant for a day to host fundraising events. We also have a program called Shopping For Good Character. With this program model, teachers from selected schools nominate approximately 25 students in each school whom have showcased good character faithfully. A total of 150 students receive a $100 shopping spree at Targets in the Houston and San Francisco areas, as a reward for consistent, good character. We are active within our church and communities as well.”

“I always wanted to do something like this,” Norris explained. “This is my way of giving back. I always said that if I were to be blessed one day that I would like to head my own foundation helping out the community. We invite the 100+ kids that were winners of the Shopping for Good Character to our yearly football camp on scholarship. I have other guys from my team as well as other NFL teams come down to participate. Player volunteers include Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, DaShon Goldson, and the list goes on.”

After the football camp, one of the students from each of the four schools is giving their own Dell laptop computer. The student and their family are invited to the foundation celebration dinner at the end of the week. During this dinner the student is highlighted and celebrated in front of everyone for their strength of character, and they have the opportunity to take pictures and obtain autographs from all of the professional football players and community leaders in attendance. “It (the dinner) is a very positive and rewarding event to attend.” Norris comments.

Positive is something that Norris has remained throughout life and through his career. Growing up some of his biggest challenges in life were learning how to adjust to the pressure that came from his peers to make some bad choices. Norris has had challenges as an athlete as well. Playing fullback is a giving position, all work and little glory. Yet to be a fullback, one has to be on top of their game, both mentally and physically. “I remained positive,” Norris explained. “Believing in the lord and having strong support at home from my wife help me to succeed every day. Additionally, my family provided me with a strong foundation as well.” Norris explained that some of the biggest and best decisions that he had to make actually came really simply for him. He has always thought back to what he learned from his parents--a basic understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Norris believes that a key element of a 'Smart Guy' is knowing right from wrong. “I try to do the right things in life and throughout my community.” Norris continued. “I try to be the best that I can be as a person, as a man and as a fullback in the NFL. That is what makes me a Smart Guy.”

Moran wants young people to always understand that you cannot be told NO. People will doubt you, they may not believe in you, but you have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, then whatever you are trying to do will not happen. “You lose the battle at that point if you don’t believe in yourself.” Norris explained. “You have to know what you can do, always believe and have faith in yourself. There will be teachers or coaches that will tell you that you can’t do something, but if you just to have the belief in yourself, you can do it and that is how you can win half the battle, by just believing in yourself.”

Believing in himself is what has landed Moran Norris in the position to where he is today. An all around 'Smart Guy' that continues to open up passage ways for others; and whether that passageway is for All Pro NFL running back like Frank Gore or any of the 150 students that The Moran Norris Foundation provides assistance to on a yearly basis.

A Trailblazing 'Smart Guy',

Moran