CFZ The end of a great career as a Dallas sports icon

[Bobhaze]

Norm Hitzges, a Texas radio hall of famer and legend who covered the Cowboys and other Dallas area sports for 48 years has officially retired. Today was his last day in full time broadcasting.

Norm was a pioneer in the radio sports talk show format and was very popular at Dallas radio stations KERA 90.1, KLIF 1190 and one of the best sports talk stations in the nation, “The Ticket”, 96.7 and 1310. He even pre-dates by one year Cowboys play-by-play broadcaster Brad Sham in his coverage of the Cowboys. The last several years, he was one of the insightful members of the Cowboys post game show on the Ticket. Quick to see both the good and bad of the game just played.

Norm was never afraid to speak out with his opinions about the Cowboys, its management, coaches and players. He was one of the most prepared on-air talents who could quote stats, trends, history and funny names at the drop of a hat. His coverage of the NFL Draft- as he called it- “wall to wall”- from round 1 to the final “Mr. Irrelevant“ pick in round 7 was the best I’ve ever heard. When it came to the NFL draft, Norm was way more knowledgeable and fun than the tiresome talking heads at ESPN or the NFL network.

He will be hard to replace as a sports journalist. He was more loyal to the truth and his listeners than he was to being in the good graces of the teams he covered. He was humble enough to laugh at himself when he made gaffes and after he occasionally showed his more prickly side to callers to the show with what he considered unfair or rude comments.

Norm will be missed.

 

[Praxit]

..sorry Bullet. Never listened to the guy. But if you guys will missed him. Thats good enough. ....

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Norm was the best analyst on the Ticket. Sturm is decent but not on the same level as Norm.

 

[noshame]

Thanks for your work Norm.

 

[Bobhaze]

Norm was the best analyst on the Ticket. Sturm is decent but not on the same level as Norm.

I like all the guys on the Ticket for different reasons. IMO, Norm, Bob Sturm and Craig Miller offer the most honest and insightful comments on the Cowboys in the Dallas market. They don’t have any problem praising or criticizing when it’s warranted.

 

[Cowboys5217]

I wonder if the Freak will work with Norm on a part time or once in a while basis. They have partially reassembled the original Hardline (minus the Cobra).

 

[Bobhaze]

I wonder if the Freak will work with Norm on a part time or once in a while basis. They have partially reassembled the original Hardline (minus the Cobra).

I heard him say he plans to do a podcast and occasionally do some things at the Ticket, like continuing his coverage of the NFL draft and his famous “Norm-a-Thon” done in late December, which raises money for a homeless shelter in Dallas.

 

[dmq]

I loved listening to him when I lived in Texas during the 90's.

 

[eromeopolk]

Norm Hitzges, a Texas radio hall of famer and legend who covered the Cowboys and other Dallas area sports for 48 years has officially retired. Today was his last day in full time broadcasting.

Norm was a pioneer in the radio sports talk show format and was very popular at Dallas radio stations KERA 90.1, KLIF 1190 and one of the best sports talk stations in the nation, “The Ticket”, 96.7 and 1310. He even pre-dates by one year Cowboys play-by-play broadcaster Brad Sham in his coverage of the Cowboys. The last several years, he was one of the insightful members of the Cowboys post game show on the Ticket. Quick to see both the good and bad of the game just played.

Norm was never afraid to speak out with his opinions about the Cowboys, its management, coaches and players. He was one of the most prepared on-air talents who could quote stats, trends, history and funny names at the drop of a hat. His coverage of the NFL Draft- as he called it- “wall to wall”- from round 1 to the final “Mr. Irrelevant“ pick in round 7 was the best I’ve ever heard. When it came to the NFL draft, Norm was way more knowledgeable and fun than the tiresome talking heads at ESPN or the NFL network.

He will be hard to replace as a sports journalist. He was more loyal to the truth and his listeners than he was to being in the good graces of the teams he covered. He was humble enough to laugh at himself when he made gaffes and after he occasionally showed his more prickly side to callers to the show with what he considered unfair or rude comments.

Norm will be missed.

This says it all...

 

[big dog cowboy]

He seemed to make sure Jerry Jones accountable by being more critical and not toeing the company line. Haven't listened to his his show in a long time. I would listen to him on the draft every year. Interesting personality.

 

[CouchCoach]

I heard him say he plans to do a podcast and occasionally do some things at the Ticket, like continuing his coverage of the NFL draft and his famous “Norm-a-Thon” done in late December, which raises money for a homeless shelter in Dallas.

That isn't just a homeless shelter, it is a rebuilding the lives of abused women through counseling, training, teaching them to dress, present themselves and interview for jobs and most of all give them their self-respect back so they can become confident and they've been really successful with a lot of women. It is the Austin Street Center.

Back in 2011, I lost my wife and one of the challenges was what to do with her things and I couldn't even bring myself to enter her closet or look in her dresser. And I remembered Norm's donation drive and the number of years he had been doing it so it had immediate credibility with me. So, I called them and they showed up on about an hour.

I explained to them that I could not go in there and they could take everything including cosmetics and jewelry and one of the guys walked back to the bedroom and came back in a couple of minutes and asked me if I was sure I wanted them to take everything, he remarked he'd never had this much donated and they would need to call another van in. My wife loved clothes and remarked Stevie Nicks stole her look and I think we hold the couples record for visiting the most Chico's in the US.

It took them a while to load everything and when they were done, the young man came back in and said they'd filled up two vans and this was going to help a lot of women needing help. Then he did something I wasn't prepared for, he turned around and asked "can I give you a hug"? Then just stepped toward me and I opened my arms and the tears fell like rain and he just held onto me, slapped me on the back. He said "tonight, your wife is going to be smiling down upon you with the greatest smile you ever saw".

A couple of hours later the phone rings and it's the Director and she thanked me profusely and told me how many women this would help change their lives. She told me my wife had been donating to them for 5 years.

Fifteen minutes later the phone rings again and there is no mistaking that voice, it's Norm. We talked for about 5 minutes mostly about my wife and then he thanked me again and said this is the most important thing he does with his life.

I had a warm spot for him but couldn't listen to him when my tinnitus showed up. Any off center sounds like his voice, a high pitched bark, sirens or sudden sounds freaked me out. However, from a content standpoint he was an All Pro and belongs in the Broadcasting HOF.

That night, I did feel my wife smiling down upon me and had the satisfaction of knowing I had done the right thing. It had only taken me 3 months to do it but it was the first step in the right direction of allowing time to do its work. And the first admission that she was not coming back to wear those clothes.

 

[erod]

Norm will occasionally do stuff for the Ticket like draft coverage. He's 78.

 

[Forneymike]

He and Jerry had a great on air conversation this morning for like 30 minutes

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Norm was the best analyst on the Ticket. Sturm is decent but not on the same level as Norm.

I mean for me Sturm is the best but maybe it depends on your age. Love both guys though.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Norm will occasionally do stuff for the Ticket like draft coverage. He's 78.

That’s what I wondered if he’d still do draft coverage. It’s the best in town and probably country.

 

[CCBoy]

Norm Hitzges, a Texas radio hall of famer and legend who covered the Cowboys and other Dallas area sports for 48 years has officially retired. Today was his last day in full time broadcasting.

Norm was a pioneer in the radio sports talk show format and was very popular at Dallas radio stations KERA 90.1, KLIF 1190 and one of the best sports talk stations in the nation, “The Ticket”, 96.7 and 1310. He even pre-dates by one year Cowboys play-by-play broadcaster Brad Sham in his coverage of the Cowboys. The last several years, he was one of the insightful members of the Cowboys post game show on the Ticket. Quick to see both the good and bad of the game just played.

Norm was never afraid to speak out with his opinions about the Cowboys, its management, coaches and players. He was one of the most prepared on-air talents who could quote stats, trends, history and funny names at the drop of a hat. His coverage of the NFL Draft- as he called it- “wall to wall”- from round 1 to the final “Mr. Irrelevant“ pick in round 7 was the best I’ve ever heard. When it came to the NFL draft, Norm was way more knowledgeable and fun than the tiresome talking heads at ESPN or the NFL network.

He will be hard to replace as a sports journalist. He was more loyal to the truth and his listeners than he was to being in the good graces of the teams he covered. He was humble enough to laugh at himself when he made gaffes and after he occasionally showed his more prickly side to callers to the show with what he considered unfair or rude comments.

Norm will be missed.

Sports media such as he brought heart and thrills to the fan. God bless you, Sir. We all are better for your efforts and own heart to tell it like it fully was.

 

[Bobhaze]

That isn't just a homeless shelter, it is a rebuilding the lives of abused women through counseling, training, teaching them to dress, present themselves and interview for jobs and most of all give them their self-respect back so they can become confident and they've been really successful with a lot of women. It is the Austin Street Center.

Back in 2011, I lost my wife and one of the challenges was what to do with her things and I couldn't even bring myself to enter her closet or look in her dresser. And I remembered Norm's donation drive and the number of years he had been doing it so it had immediate credibility with me. So, I called them and they showed up on about an hour.

I explained to them that I could not go in there and they could take everything including cosmetics and jewelry and one of the guys walked back to the bedroom and came back in a couple of minutes and asked me if I was sure I wanted them to take everything, he remarked he'd never had this much donated and they would need to call another van in. My wife loved clothes and remarked Stevie Nicks stole her look and I think we hold the couples record for visiting the most Chico's in the US.

It took them a while to load everything and when they were done, the young man came back in and said they'd filled up two vans and this was going to help a lot of women needing help. Then he did something I wasn't prepared for, he turned around and asked "can I give you a hug"? Then just stepped toward me and I opened my arms and the tears fell like rain and he just held onto me, slapped me on the back. He said "tonight, your wife is going to be smiling down upon you with the greatest smile you ever saw".

A couple of hours later the phone rings and it's the Director and she thanked me profusely and told me how many women this would help change their lives. She told me my wife had been donating to them for 5 years.

Fifteen minutes later the phone rings again and there is no mistaking that voice, it's Norm. We talked for about 5 minutes mostly about my wife and then he thanked me again and said this is the most important thing he does with his life.

I had a warm spot for him but couldn't listen to him when my tinnitus showed up. Any off center sounds like his voice, a high pitched bark, sirens or sudden sounds freaked me out. However, from a content standpoint he was an All Pro and belongs in the Broadcasting HOF.

That night, I did feel my wife smiling down upon me and had the satisfaction of knowing I had done the right thing. It had only taken me 3 months to do it but it was the first step in the right direction of allowing time to do its work. And the first admission that she was not coming back to wear those clothes.

What a great story. Thank you my friend.