Out Spotlight

Today's Out Spotlight is a American professional bowler and attorney who recently made television sports history. Today's Out Spotlight is Scott Norton.

Scott Norton was born February 18, 1982 to Rick Norton and United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Virginia Norton.  Norton began bowling at around the age of four and by 18, he had won 21 amateur bowling titles, won the gold medal at the Junior World Amateur Championships and, as captain of the adult team, became the youngest person ever to win the Adult National Amateur Championship.

But it wasn't all about strikes and spares.  Norton attended California State University, Fullerton where he majored in history. He didn't give up bowling he continued hitting the lanes and was named the collegiate bowler of the year for 2000—2001. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, Norton attended Hastings College of the Law and passed the California bar exam in 2009

Norton joined the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) in 2008. He was named the 2009 PBA West Region Rookie of the Year. A win in December 2009 at the Sands Regency PBA Regional Players Invitational in Reno earned Norton $7,500 in prize money and an exemption, or automatic spot, on the 2010-11 PBA Tour.

At the 2010 World Series of Bowling, he won his first PBA Tour title, the PBA Chameleon Championship. Norton was ranked 18th for the 2010-11 season.

In May 2011 the PBA named Norton the Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year. He won his second PBA Tour title, again in the PBA Chameleon Championship, at the 2012 World Series of Bowling, defeating 2011 Chameleon champion Jason Belmonte in the final match.

To get to the finals, Norton defeated PBA Hall of Famer and all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams, Jr. in the semifinal. This second victory on November 11, 2012 also ended a 20-month title drought for left-handed bowlers on the PBA Tour. Prior to Norton's win, the last left-handed bowler to win a title was Jason Couch on March 6, 2011.

Norton made television sports history when ESPN  showed him, an openly gay male pro athlete kissing his husband after he won the 2012 PBA Chameleon Championship and ESPN did not shy away from describing the relationship.

After the win Norton broke down and cried in memory of a friend who had died. He was then seen kissing his husband, Craig Woodward, as they exchanged affectionate words (video below). During the telecast, ESPN’s announcers referred to Woodward as Norton’s husband or spouse.  The couple were October 22, 2011 in Laguna Beach, California. (their wedding web page)

On May 19, 2011, inspired by the coming out of Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts, Norton released a statement acknowledging that he was gay.

"It is extremely important for me to come out to show other gay athletes, both current and future, that it is important to come out to show that we are just like everyone else. Being gay doesn’t define who I am as a person or as a professional athlete....It's important to show people that being gay has nothing to do with one's ability to do anything as a man, least of all compete at the highest level of sports."