Bruce McNorton
Bruce Edward McNorton (born February 28, 1959) is an American former professional football player who played cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgetown College from 1978 to 1981. Early life and college Bruce was born in Daytona Beach, FL on February 28, 1959. Bruce attended high school at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, FL. While there, he was an All-State football player. Bruce was offered a scholarship by one college – Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY, which is an NAIA school. He spent 4 years at Georgetown, from 1978–81, and still holds the records for kick return average and touchdowns in a season, both set in 1981. He has the most kickoff return yards in program history and is tied for the most kick return touchdowns. He is 2nd in interceptions with 17. He was named a Little All-American in 1981. After his senior season, he played in the Senior Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Georgetown with a degree in Social Work in December 1981. Bruce was inducted into the Georgetown College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Detroit Lions 1982 Bruce was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 96th overall pick in the 4th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. Bruce was the first player drafted out of Georgetown College. He saw action in only 4 games his rookie season due to a hand injury that occurred in training camp. Bruce was on Injured Reserve until December 11. The Lions made the playoffs in 1982 with a record of 4-5. The season was shortened from 16 games to 9 due to a players strike after Week 2. Bruce played in the playoff game against the Washington Redskins on January 8, 1983. The Redskins won the game, 31-7, and eventually won Super Bowl XXVII against the Los Angeles Raiders. 1983 Bruce had a breakout season in 1983, playing all 16 games and winning the starting position over Al Latimer in week 9 against the Chicago Bears. Bruce intercepted his first pass that week, and gathered 6 more the rest of the season, including 2 each against the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. He tied for 4th among NFC defenders in interceptions for the year. Bruce helped lead the Lions to the Central Division crown in 1983, with a 9-7 record. On December 31, 1983, the Lions were defeated in the NFC Divisional Round by the San Francisco 49ers 24-23. It would be the last playoff game that Bruce would play in the NFL. 1984 Bruce started all 16 games at right cornerback for the Lions in 1984, intercepting 2 passes and leading the team in passes defended with 8. Bruce was 8th on the team in tackles with 79. The Lions slumped in 1984, going 4-11-1, ahead of only the Minnesota Vikings in the Central Division. 1985 Bruce again started all 16 games for