Vernon Norwood: The Inked List

There’s the A-list, B-list, and all the other lists on the Ulmer Scale denoting celebrity social status. On the flip side, to make it on The Inked List, you don’t need a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — you need grit, grace, success, societal impact, or an admirable characteristic that has people talking. But above all, you need tattoos. You know you know them, but how do you know them? Introducing The Inked List.

Laid back yet fiercely focused, one might get the impression that Vernon Norwood is quiet and reserved, but the Olympic gold medalist insists that those who know him, such as his track and field teammates, will attest to his big personality. And under this dynamic sprinter’s jersey, there’s a story of hometown pride, faith, and duty.

The Louisiana native is humbled by his success yet confident in carrying the weight when needed, both on the track and when his family needs him most. Donning a tattoo of his namesake across his back, his dedication to his family is boldly symbolized.

“Growing up with [my five brothers] and with my mom, being a single mom, we had kind of been isolated throughout some parts of our years — through Hurricane Katrina, through my brother’s incarceration. So, a lot of times, I felt like I was alone, and I had to carry my name and a lot of weight on my shoulders for my family and for myself,” he said of his tattoo’s placement and significance. “Also just to have something to be motivated for and always have that chip on my shoulder to carry the weight… Growing up, I felt like it was so much weight, so much pressure on me not to go the same route that my brothers went on, or just to make sure that I’m providing enough for my family and for my mom.”

To illustrate, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina was building strength before she touched down in New Orleans. Norwood’s mother made the difficult decision to uproot his family and plant them in a safer location: Morgan City, Louisiana, about 85 miles away. “I’ve never seen my mama under any type of stress or panic — she never showed any of that type of weakness.” Her dismay was revealing — the hurricane was more serious than he imagined.

It was a smart move, not only because they were sheltered from Katrina’s immense destruction, but it’s where Norwood discovered his gift of speed on the high school track, and colleges started taking note.

Striking Gold in Katrina’s Aftermath

“[After high school], I wasn’t planning on going to college, so I didn’t take the ACT, none of that stuff,” he said, acknowledging his lack of desire during that time to pursue a higher education or places on the podium. But, as luck would have it, his plans changed. Norwood headed to Levelland, Texas, to continue his education and hone his craft at South Plains College, where he set records on the track and garnered the attention of Louisiana State University recruiters.

“You know that smile your mother gives you when she’s proud of you? It’s a feeling that you can’t even imagine,” he shared. “So, most of the time, that was my addiction towards me wanting to continue doing this sport — just making her proud. You know, those tears of joy, not tears of pain was definitely a feeling like, ‘Man, I can’t stop doing this stuff.’”

As a member of LSU’s 2015 track and field team, Norwood became an NCAA champion
in the 400-meter dash and anchored the NCAA 4×400-meter indoor and outdoor relays to win the titles. Ranking No. 8 in the NCAA’s Top 10 list, Norwood set his sights on the World Championships, raking in five gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, and the Olympic Games, bringing home two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, according to Team USA.

Norwood’s most recent Olympic gold medal was a testament to his swiftness. Many tuned into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 4×400 men’s relay to witness Norwood closing the gap in the second leg to give teammates Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin the boost they needed to win the gold and set a new Olympic record.

“I was getting a lot of recognition and flowers,” he said of the reaction to his performance. “People were like, ‘Man, we know you’ve been doing this for years, but we’re so happy to see you get the recognition and flowers you deserve.”

Surprisingly, Norwood’s consistency and successes were greatly unrecognized by the masses until the 2024 Olympic Games, so those familiar with his previous accomplishments celebrated his time in the spotlight. “I’m going to do my thing regardless. People see it, they see it. If they don’t, they don’t,” he said, adding, “But I know, when you look at the list of the top guys in the 400, my name is always going to be on there. It just gets overshadowed with the [other] talent though.”

Through the challenging times of his past, the 32-year-old has a lot to relish today. “Me graduating? Nothing can top that, getting a college degree,” he shared. “I’m the first person in my family to graduate. It’s not a bragging right thing. It’s like a generational thing… I feel like I broke that curse and that cycle for my family.”

Norwood didn’t anticipate the gratification he would experience from competing, traveling, meeting people, helping others, and making his mother proud as he traversed a path he didn’t initially aspire to go down. “Looking back at it now, 10 years later, I’m tremendously grateful for going to LSU and just going to school in general because my discipline, my hard work led me to us having this conversation right now.”