Panthers’ Norman, Tolbert to be first Chanticleers to soar into Super Bowl 50

What is a Chanticleer?

It’s probably a safe bet that question will be asked at some point this week, and after Sunday you’ll likely be able to add the footnote: Super Bowl standout.

When Josh Norman and Mike Tolbert take the field this weekend with the Carolina Panthers, they’ll be the first two former Chants to ever play in the big game.

For a program that’s about as old as an eighth-grader (their first game was in 2003), having two impact players on a Super Bowl squad is something to be proud of, and they highlight a list of notable alumni that’s sure to keep growing.

Let’s take a quick look at how each player found his way to San Francisco for Super Bowl 50:

Big Mike

The big fullback had to prove his worth right from the start. Tolbert finished his four-year career at Coastal with 303 rushing attempts for 1,670 yards and ZERO fumbles, but he went undrafted in 2008. Tolbert signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers that year and didn’t waste any time becoming a fan favorite out west. His true breakout season came in 2010, when he became a co-starter with Ryan Matthews and rumbled for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The next season Tolbert jumped back to the Carolinas, signing as a free agent with the Panthers and becoming the “Toldozer.” He was voted to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro as a fullback in 2013, and again this season.

As a fullback in a league that’s all but done away with his role, he’s managed to remain consistently productive, especially when it comes to pounding the rock. He’s put up just 2,288 yards in his career, but more impressive are his 33 touchdowns – ranking him 20th among active running backs. He didn’t get much action in the NFC Championship rout of the Arizona Cardinals, but did have a nice catch and dive for a two-point conversion in the second half.

Tolbert’s always been an easy guy to root for with at-times confusing displays of agility for a man of his size, and he’s sure to play a role as the Panthers aim to score their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.

The ‘Dark Knight’

It’s usually not difficult to parse a good soundbite from Josh Norman, and early in his career it did more harm than good. In the past two years, though, Norman hasn’t only backed up his big words, he’s left most around the NFL asking for more.

If there’s a chip on the cornerback’s shoulder, it was well earned. After winning a state championship with Greenwood high school in 2006, he began college at Horry Georgetown Tech before catching on with Coastal Carolina as a walk-on in 2008. He earned a full scholarship for his sophomore season, and went on to finish his CCU career with 11 interceptions and 23 pass breakups, good for No. 2 all time in school history.

That would lead to Norman being taken in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers in 2012. Oddly enough, the player drafted the pick before Norman was Brandon Marshall (the linebacker), who has started every game for the Broncos this season and will also be featured in Super Bowl 50. However, the player after him? Zebrie Sanders, not exactly a household name. Norman would go on to have some ups, but many downs before his breakout season in 2014. Often in the doghouse and playing second-fiddle in the secondary, he proved to be a difficult player to manage for many of the same traits he’s lauded for now. He played in just seven games in 2013, and wasn’t active for five games.

The wake-up call was clearly received, as Norman not only earned his job back on a team that graded out as one of the top defensive units in the game in 2014, but he recaptured his swagger. And that hasn’t gone away this season.

Norman is a big-game player, and a prime-time stopper in a league dominated by the big-time receiver. In a passing league, he’s the star.

This year alone he’s shut down the likes of Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Dez Bryant and many others along the way. And he got so deep into the head of Odell Beckham Jr. that the Giants star receiver went supernova and earned a suspension from the NFL (something almost unheard of for an offensive player). All the while Norman has become his own type of celebrity.

From his “Dark Knight” persona, to his horse named Delta 747, the former Chant has become must-watch TV. But that’s not until Sunday, so pass some time by scrolling through Delta’s Twitter feed.

No, seriously.

Regardless of what happens on Sunday, one thing is for sure: We’ll all know exactly what a Chant is.

OF NOTE

We’ll be providing you end-to-end coverage of all things Super Bowl 50 this week, including a look at how Mike Tolbert’s career has grown in Carolina (Thursday’s paper) and an in-depth feature on what’s made Josh Norman the media superstar he is (Saturday’s paper) from The Sun News’ Coastal Carolina reporter Ryan Young. … We’re back. If you’ve tried to call in the past few weeks you already know, but The Sun News’ sports hotline is up and running (and we apologize for any inconvenience). Any coach reporting a score, or anyone with a sports question can reach The Sun News sports department at 843-443-2420.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Panthers’ Norman, Tolbert to be first Chanticleers to soar into Super Bowl 50."