Jim Norris†
Inducted 2017
Hometown: Houston
High School: Mercedes High School
College: The University of Houston
Professional: Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers
Best Known for: Football
Oct. 14, 1939-Feb. 2, 2020
Norris was a successful football player at Mercedes High School and played in the National Football League. He was born in Houston and moved to Mercedes with his family when he was a toddler.
Norris’s career started in sixth grade, when he was declared eligible to play football because of his size.
Norris was a four-year letterman in football at Mercedes High School where he graduated in 1959. He also participated in basketball and track. As an offensive and defensive lineman, Norris was part of the undefeated 1958 Mercedes team that reached the state quarterfinals. He was named District 32-AA Most Valuable Player in 1958, and was named second-team all-state as a sophomore and first team as a senior. The Tigers won two playoff games and reached the state quarterfinals, where they lost to West Columbia, 7-6. He also participated in basketball and track in high school.
Norris went to The University of Houston on a football scholarship but did not play varsity in his first season in 1958 because of NCAA rules at the time prohibiting freshmen on the varsity roster. He lettered three years on the varsity from 1959-61, and was the starter at right tackle every game during his senior year.
He was drafted in the 12th round by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1963 NFL Draft. The upstart American Football League (AFL) Oakland Raiders drafted him in the seventh round by the Oakland Raiders as the 49th pick overall. He played defensive tackle for two years with the Raiders, and was released in 1965 because of an ankle injury. He also played one year with the Houston Oilers in 1965 before an auto accident ended his NFL career.
