Josh Norman defends TV job: "It's my off time. I can do whatever I choose"
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman defended his in-season television analyst job, saying it's his business what he does away from the football field and that he is simply preparing himself for life outside of football.
The MMQB reported that Norman is set to join Fox Sports' NFL coverage this season as a contributor beginning Week 1.
"It's my off time. I can do whatever I choose. I'm around my horse all the time, nobody says anything about that. Everybody [is] like, 'Ohh great," Norman said, according to ESPN. "Obviously we know what's going on in the game. It's an easy transition to spit back football to football minds. It made sense to expand my career. ... Who knows if that's something I want to do, but I have the outlet."
Norman, 28, signed a five-year, $75 million deal with $50 million guaranteed to join Washington after the Carolina Panthers rescinded the franchise tag on Norman, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Norman says Redskins head coach Jay Gruden knew about his new job and the team signed off on it.
"We are not even shooting Sundays," Norman said. "Let's get it together: We are not shooting, we are playing football. This is pre-taped before, obviously; I'll go to [the] studio once or twice. It's in my bye week."
Norman recorded 48 tackles and intercepted four passes, returning two for touchdowns last season, and helped Carolina reach the Super Bowl. He was named a first-team AP All-Pro and was named a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career.
- Scooby Axson
