WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton’s left arm had to be amputated after a rollover crash in West Miami-Dade, according to his agent.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene along the westbound lanes of the Dolphin Expressway at State Road 826 just after 1:15 a.m., Thursday.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said Norton was behind the wheel of a black 2017 Ford F-250 that collided into a concrete barrier wall.
Fire officials said Norton and a woman were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital following the rollover crash, Norton as a trauma alert and the female victim in unknown condition.
7News cameras captured Norton being wheeled into the hospital where he could be seen with a blood-filled bandage over his head and his left arm wrapped up.
FHP officials said a gray 2015 Maserati sedan was also involved in the crash, but the car had minor damage, and the driver was left uninjured.
The 22-year-old football player is well known to the South Florida community for his time playing for the University of Miami. Norton is known for using a Florida State quarterback’s leg as an air guitar after a sack.
Our thoughts are with Kendrick Norton and his family. https://t.co/NVue1SzsRM
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) July 4, 2019
The Dolphins signed him in December after playing three seasons with the Hurricanes.
Norton started his football career in Jacksonville at Trinity Christian Academy. On the school’s Facebook page, the school said in a statement, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kendrick and his family at this difficult time.”
Bishop Leofric Thomas, who said the 22-year-old’s family attended his church in Jacksonville for more than a decade, said over the phone, “We don’t know how life and how God will turn things. It may look bleak. It may look grim at this time, but all things are possible — even if he didn’t get back on the field to play, there are coaching opportunities and all kind of things that you can do — as a part of athletic football corporation, so we’re praying for that. We just want him to get healed first and see where he goes from here.”
The U family is praying for Kendrick, his family and the medical professionals helping him this morning. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/uYgXANF5H0
— Manny Diaz (@Coach_MannyDiaz) July 4, 2019
“You gotta come out and apply the same effort and get better everyday,” said Norton when 7News caught up with him at a previous Dolphins practice.
A Miami Dolphins spokesperson issued the following statement:
“We were made aware this morning of a serious car accident involving Kendrick Norton. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendrick and his family during this time.”
Malki Kawa, Norton’s agent, took to Twitter to ask for privacy for the player and his family during his recovery.
With sadness, I can confirm that Kendrick Norton was in a car accident last night and suffered multiple injuries, including the amputation of his arm. We ask that you continue to pray for him. His family also asks that the public respect Kendrick’s privacy.
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) July 4, 2019
Family members, teammates and friends made their way into the hospital later Monday morning to visit Norton.
His mother took to Facebook on Thursday morning to thank those reaching out to the family with love and support.
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Miami Beach Police said two off-duty officers and an off-duty EMT were in the area when the crash happened and were the first to respond. Their training, police said, likely saved Norton’s life.
The crash remains under investigation.
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