All You Need to Know About Ken Norton
A fresh look at All You Need to Know About Ken Norton, bringing you expert commentary.
Ken Norton was born on August 9, 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois. As an adolescent, he attended Jacksonville High School and excelled in football and track. He was an All-State football player who also competed in eight separate track and field events during his senior year, winning seven of them. After winning seven of the eight events, the “Ken Norton Rule” was adopted for all Illinois track and field teams. A student-athlete could only participate in four track and field events.
Norton is well known for being one of just two boxers who defeated Muhammad Ali in his heyday. He shattered Ali’s jaw in the 12th round of their fight in March 1973. They battled twice more. He lost both fights, though the third is still being contested. Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
He died on September 18, 2013. Ken’s son, Ken Norton Jr. went on to become a professional football player and coach.
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