Miami Dolphins will pay Kendrick Norton’s full salary after career-ending car accident

South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL)

Jul. 22--The Miami Dolphins will pay defensive tackle Kendrick Norton his full salary for the 2019 season after his left arm was amputated following a July 4 car accident, ending his football career.

Norton, a former University of Miami standout, will receive his $495,000 salary while remaining a part of the Dolphins team this season, the South Florida Sun Sentinel confirmed on Monday.

On Sunday, he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, making him ineligible to practice and play this season. But it ensures he will remain under the NFL's health insurance plan, while he rehabilitates his injuries and receives occupational therapy.

"I want to thank everyone for all the love support and uplifting Messages. I really appreciate it. It gives me an extra boost every day. Thank you," Norton posted to his Twitter account last weekend, shortly after his release from the hospital last Thursday.

Norton has already started to transition to the next phase of his life, advocating and participating in a recent blood drive held by the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium last Saturday, and creating a YouTube channel to chronicle his endeavors in his daily life.

The Dolphins will begin training camp on Thursday without Norton, but have continued to show him ample support since the accident.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores, general manager Chris Grier and several team officials, as well as many of Norton's old connections at the University of Miami, including coach Manny Diaz, visited with Norton while he was hospitalized.

Norton underwent at least six surgeries while hospitalized, with hopes of eventually getting and using a prosthetic arm.

Norton was determined to be at fault for the two-car accident, which occurred at around 1:18 a.m. on July 4 on the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) westbound ramp, leading to the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826).

The Florida Highway Patrol issued Norton a citation for an improper lane change of his 2017 Ford F250, which crashed into the right side of a 2015 Maserati before it slammed into a concrete barrier and overturned onto its roof.

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FHP determined no alcohol or drugs were involved, but did note Norton and his passenger, a 34-year-old woman named Shakir Williams, were not wearing seat belts during the accident.

Investigators were unable to determine whether Norton was distracted before the accident occurred.

Investigators said the driver of the Maserati, Jessie Pena, a 30-year-old woman from Miami, also was not suspected of alcohol or drug use. Pena and her passenger, Osdany Jimenez, a 38-year-old man from Miami, were not injured in the accident.

Norton never played in a game during his short NFL career. He left UM early and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. He spent all of last season on the Panthers practice squad before being released and claimed by the Dolphins last December. He was expected to compete for a roster spot this season.

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