Penn State’s Jordan Norwood discusses NFL career, State College

After spending three seasons and winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, State College native Jordan Norwood is a free agent — and he’s enjoying life.

Norwood, a former Little Lion and 2008 Big Ten champion, joined us for this week’s “5 Questions.”

Check it out:

Q: You’re now a free agent. What has this experience been like, and what’s your future looking like in the league?

A: I’ve been a free agent a few times in the past, and I would say this time is a little different. I’m eight years deep into the NFL, have a couple kids, a wife and a home. Just a little different this time. I actually asked my agent not to reach out to any teams during OTAs or anything because I wanted to stay home and spend time with my family. Now that OTAs are over, I might start to hear some things.

Q: Any idea on what teams or what situations could be out there? Like you said, you have a family and have been in Denver for a while now.

A: There’s no leads on any teams or anything, which is fine with me. My family and I are enjoying our time together right now. Honestly, I think we’d stay here and live here indefinitely, no matter what.

Q: Coming from State High, you’re an inspiration for a lot of kids here not only making it to Penn State, but also making it in the league, going to a Super Bowl. What’s it like being a guy who a lot of people look up to in this area?

A: State College is great. The last time I was back was for the Blue-White Game in 2016, so it’s been a little bit. But I love to get back to State College. I love visiting the high school — and see my old high school basketball coach. See him and Matt Lintal, the head football coach. He actually recruited me out of high school while he was at Bucknell, and I was very, very close to going there. It’s awesome. It’s a great community. Everyone knows that.

Q: You’ve had some time since you were in the Super Bowl, but that’s something that so many guys strive to get to throughout their careers. Your road to that game was a long one — jumping around to a bunch of teams in the NFL, having to come to Penn State and establish yourself. Having some time to reflect now on that game, what was that day like?

A: Just looking back, playing in the Super Bowl is one thing. Contributing to a win in the Super Bowl is another thing. Having your family and closest friends — three of my closest friends who went to State High with me were there to watch — to celebrate with after the game, it was an incredible blessing. That was my first year in a playoff game after six years in the NFL. It was incredible.

Q: You mentioned being back at the Blue-White Game in 2016. I’m sure you were following what this team did last year. Seeing it get back to that high standard, getting to the Rose Bowl and watching the excitement build, what’s it like for you?

A: It’s great to see, and it’s something you don’t think about as a student-athlete. There are guys who are alumni, sitting in places like Denver, Colo., just anxious for a Saturday where they can go hang out with their Penn State alumni friends and watch the game. As we all feel when a team is winning, it makes those moments more enjoyable for everybody. I can’t wait for this upcoming season, and hope they continue in the same direction they finished last season.

This story was originally published June 24, 2017 at 11:33 PM with the headline "Penn State’s Jordan Norwood discusses NFL career, State College."