Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman often talks about getting in a “dark place” before games, something he did before facing Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant on Thanksgiving Day.
Norman, a big fan of all things Batman and gladiator movies, went to a darker place last month against New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. Their game-long series of fights brought $26,000 in fines for Norman and a one-game suspension for Beckham.
The fallout from that game also resulted in a more subdued Norman for the Panthers’ final two regular-season games, against Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
Norman agreed to give the Observer a look into his pregame routine as he prepared to face the Bucs on Jan.