Chris Norton nominated for Courage in Sports award

Luther College football player Chris Norton has been nominated for the 2011 America's Choice Honoree for Courage in Sports on CBS. Now in its 23rd year, Courage in Sports has recognized some of the world's greatest and most inspirational athletes, such as Muhammed Ali, Alonzo Mourning, Kerri Strug and Walter Payton.

 The 2011 America's Choice Honoree is wholly determined by fan voting on the Courage in Sports Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CourageInSports) and will be revealed during the Courage in Sports television special November 13 on CBS.

 Each week for six weeks, two new athletes will be up for the fan vote – and Chris is a WEEK FIVE nominee! Week five voting opens Monday, Sept. 19 and closes Sunday, Sept. 25 at midnight ET.

On Oct. 16, 2010 while playing in his sixth game of his freshman year, Norton suffered a career ending injury to his neck and spinal cord while making a tackle on a kickoff return against Central College.

Following his injury, Chris was transported from the football field to the Winneshiek Medical Center and then airlifted by helicopter to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

X-rays showed that his neck was fractured and his spinal cord was compressed. He was placed in traction, and soon after underwent a three-hour surgery, which the neurologist told the family was successful and promising but was given only a three-percent chance of ever having movement below the neck. The next morning, he was able to move both arms.

Nearly 11 months after his injury, Saturday, Sept. 10, Norton led the Norse onto the football field in his wheel chair as the honorary captain and stood for the national anthem and the coin toss at midfield.

So, what can you do to help Chris win this honor? You can spread the word and can vote once a day on the Courage in Sports Facebook site listed above.