Sunday, January 6, 2013

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."


29 comments:

Florida Tom said...

Awesome Spotlight.

So transparent said...

prairiegirl said...
lol. Wow, we need her over here!!!


LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. Don't bother, "she" is already here...lmao

Misleading troll said...

What is it about this person who keeps coming on here to imply that Prairie Girl is behind every comment about Jake and his gayness on the Internet? I suppose you are going to assert that this person was responsible for the 130+ comments over at Blind Gossip too. This deceptive technique that you use is what is so damn transparent.

Trying to imply only a few believe the story of Jake G. being with Nichols is kinda funny. Just for the record, you would be really wrong on that score.

This whole Taylor Swift thing with Harry Styles has made it all the clearer too everyone too. Swift is a beard and now lots of 1D fans are making the association too. I've read many comments now about people realizing Jake is gay because of Haylor. Like on BG, lots and lots of people know about the Austin Nichols story.

Taylor Swift is the gay one said...

Why does everyone keep saying Taylor is a beard, I think the guys beard for her. I do not believe the Kennedy youngster is gay, I do believe Taylor Swift is a lesbian and the only reason she went after Conor was to stop rumors about her and just there are rumors about her being a lesbian. I personally think she and Emma Stone are in a relationship. There is no way Emma Stone is straight.

Maybe because she is a beard said...

Why does everyone keep saying Taylor is a beard

Maybe because the men Taylor Swift has been associated with are gay.

Joe Jonas
John Mayer(or bisexual)
Taylor Lautner
Cory Monteith
Jake Gyllenhaal
Patrick Schwarzenegger
Conor Kennedy (?) may have started dating her because Schwarzenegger and Shriver didn't want the rumors spreading about Patrick who had been rumored to be gay for years

...and, finally, Harry Styles (Notice after the holidays the stories are already circulating that they have broken up.

PR sham said...

Some have suggested that Taylor Swift has other secrets that she's trying to keep and that's why she fake dates gay men. She then makes lots and lots of money off the fauxmances with her stupid songs. One recent blind indicated that she got pregnant by John Mayer who then dumped her ass. That's possible too. One thing for sure, she is a famewhore. Even if she is a lesbian that doesn't mean that the guys she's been dating aren't gay. That happens to go on in the entertainment industry too. Double cover if you will.

I agree with the person who said the this Harry Styles thing really backfired for Jake. And her, for that matter. The internet is abuzz with stories about Jake and Austin Nichols again. A mini Renaissance if you will. LOLLLL! And its fairly well-known that rumors have circulated over the past few years about Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles as a couple. Those two One Direction boys really do go way. For each other that is.

Methodical Muser said...

I do believe Taylor Swift is a lesbian and the only reason she went after Conor was to stop rumors about her and just there are rumors about her being a lesbian.

Taylor Swift wants to stop rumors about herself being a lesbian by only dating gay men? That theory actually makes no sense at all. If you were a lesbian, you would only date well-known straight guys to look more credible. The last thing you would want to do is be associated with the gay at all!

And, it does appear that the whole Haylor mess has refocused people's attention back on Jake, ironically.

PR sham said...

Those two One Direction boys really do go One way. For each other that is.

Forgot to add the "one". (oopsie)

Taylor is the gay one said...

"None of the other guys she has "dated" will out her because she will be outed."

Meant her outing them or she is a famewhore as someone said, but I can not see her with any guy. Even the NYC kiss with Harry looked like 2 first graders kissing for the first time not knowing where to put the noses. IF you have been with an older woman such as Harry, did she not at least teach you how to kiss a woman?

Methodical Muser said...

I am just saying the more so called gay guys she dates the more she looks as gay as them.

I see your point, but that's why I don't think she is in the closet. She draws more attention to herself by almost exclusively dating gay men. Of course, that could be Taylor Swift's cover. A kind of reverse psychology, if you will. Sort of like Jake wanting to do Brokeback Mountain because surely a closeted actor would never take that kind of risk. So, yes, anything's possible, I suppose.

Methodical Muser said...

If you have been with an older woman such as Harry, did she not at least teach you how to kiss a woman?

I don't think Harry has ever been with an older woman. All those cougar rumors are PR generated to convince the public that he is a hetero slut. Remember that Caroline Flack was an X-Factor presenter and the rumors started to fly about them at the same time Louis was given a beard (Eleanor Calder).

The idea that a 16 or 17 year old kid has slept with 410 women in one year is absurd. The kiss looked awkward because Harry is in a relationship with Louis and he's gay. It takes two to tango and Harry was not the least bit interested in that staged New Year's Eve freak show.

Methodical Muser said...

M&M you are far too old to be that involved/interested in gossip about teenage boybanders. You lose all credibility with these comments

I was wondering when the name calling from those occupying the bleacher seats would kick in. I'm sorry if I'm not a stuffy, old, uninspired, and pretentious fuddy-duddy like yourself. You wear the look so well that I could never even hope to compete so I won't even try to mirror your humdrum pedestrian ways.

Unlike yourself, who obviously sets artificial limitations on what is important, I choose to be young at heart and stay current regarding pop cultural trends and their social impact. In case you haven't noticed, it's the younger generation who has been changing the world on the subject of equal rights and providing the major challenges to heteronormative constructs. Please try, in the future, to catch up, if you have the capacity to broaden your mind and your vision. Otherwise, the world is just going to continue to pass you by.

prairiegirl said...

Name calling and ridicule is the last resort of someone who has no argument or anything constructive to contribute.

prairiegirl said...

I thank Misleading Troll up there from earlier this morning. There's some ugliness going on from a few individuals. No doubt all the wonderful latest on Jake and Austin has them all in a tither.

Oh well, not my problem.

A resurgence on twitter of Austin and Jake said...

Gosh this guys were just made for each other.

I sure wish I could write like Muser. I had to look up two of those words and I'm still not quite sure if I can even grasp them now. (grin)

Have to admit, One Direction is like a guilty pleasure in my circles. Those boys are incredibly charming and fun. And there's nothing wrong with that. Being contemporary is what living life is all about.

Snark multiplied by 100 said...

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Split


Gee, I never saw that one coming!

Special K said...

Double Congratulations to actor Matt Dallas!

Did Newly Engaged Matt Dallas Just Quietly Come Out?

Taylor is the gay one said...

?Anonymous Snark multiplied by 100 said...
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Split


Gee, I never saw that one coming!"

It was actually a blind item about a month ago that they would make it to celebrate the New Year but be over before Valentine's Day. I think it ended because too many people are catching on to Swift. I remember folks questioned her "relationship" with Jake as PR since her old CD was coming out and his movie as well. I think that is what ultimately ended that PRship, Jake was losing credibility as a human being. The same is happening with Harry Styles if the break up is true. That Swift person is PR sociopath but I take solace in knowing that Kennedys probably smelled her and then squashed her before Conor became the next victim for her CD material, Camelot part II.


I still say she is lesbian and I fell bad for lesbians by saying that.

Taylor is the gay one said...

?Anonymous Snark multiplied by 100 said...
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Split


Gee, I never saw that one coming!"

It was actually a blind item about a month ago that they would make it to celebrate the New Year but be over before Valentine's Day. I think it ended because too many people are catching on to Swift. I remember folks questioned her "relationship" with Jake as PR since her old CD was coming out and his movie as well. I think that is what ultimately ended that PRship, Jake was losing credibility as a human being. The same is happening with Harry Styles if the break up is true. That Swift person is PR sociopath but I take solace in knowing that Kennedys probably smelled her and then squashed her before Conor became the next victim for her CD material, Camelot part II.


I still say she is lesbian and I fell bad for lesbians by saying that.

prairiegirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Twitter said...

@heyvna
1/7/13, 8:04

@JanaBrittany85: So I heard Jake G is dating Austin Nichols (i think thats how u spell his name) & I was like what?? Austin was in OTH

That was Followed by said...

Vianney Aranda ‏@heyvna

@JanaBrittany85: idk where the rumor even started but man I hope Jake does have a bf & Austin would be a pretty great one to have. Hahaha

9:05 AM - 7 Jan 13 ·

Anonymous Snark multiplied by 100 said...

I don't know if Taylor is a lesbian, but I sure do think that Harry Styles is gay. He looked so uncomfortable around her and he always had his friends or family on these so-called dated.

Snark multiplied by 100 said...

^^on these so-called "dates."

Methodical Muser said...

It was actually a blind item about a month ago that they would make it to celebrate the New Year but be over before Valentine's Day. I think it ended because too many people are catching on to Swift.

Given that the Blind Gossip item was issued on December 7th and pretty much predicted that the relationship would be over by VD, I suspect that the fauxmance ended according to the terms of the contract. Not so much because people were catching onto to Swift's PR games. In other words, the Blind Gossip article spelled out exactly what was going to happen one month ago.

Don't forget that this Blind Gossip item is also from the same site with the following April 5th write up about a band consisting of "beautiful young men" two of whom are "sleeping together": BOY BANDERS ARE HIDING A SECRET.

The Gay One and the Other Gay One

the real m said...

Good spotlight. That video made the rounds right after he won. He was so emotional it brought tears to my eyes to see him so happy to have won. I did not know the whole story that he had lost a friend so that explains the intense emotional response.

Poor Taylor. She's had so many "breakups". And yeah, the poor guy never looked comfortable around her. Sort of like Jake and Reese, but at least they were older at the time of the bearding. In hindsight, I think that whole episode was strictly a Disney/Prince of Persia contract stipulation. It sure back fired on them.

Florida Tom said...

Matt Dallas and his fiance' are hotties. Damn.

Talyor Swift needs to see a shrink. She has big issues. Made a lot of money though.

Hate to say it but I like it when Jake and Austin get a little pressure put on them. Both are big boys and at this point should be able to take it. Especially if they still have each other and I really think they do:-) My mind does go back and forth on some things but not that.

Florida Tom said...

You certainly are right m. Reeke was all about POP. It was big business.

Florida Tom said...

My hope is that Reeke was such an awful experience for Jake he will never go to those lengths again.