The former All-Pro cornerback and Dancing with the Stars alum also has poker skills
The Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational VIII wrapped up in dramatic fashion with NFL veteran Josh Norman emerging as the champion. The former All-Pro cornerback, known for his years with the Carolina Panthers and a stint on Dancing with the Stars, walked away with the $20,000 top prize after defeating a stacked lineup of entertainers, athletes, and influencers.
Norman clinched the victory with style, sealing the title on the final hand when he flopped a full house. It was a fitting conclusion to a night filled with swings, comebacks, and some high-level poker moments. His triumph added another chapter to a career already marked by competition, this time on the felt instead of the football field.
The final table was billed as one of the strongest celebrity lineups yet. Nine players sat down with only eight spots guaranteed a payout. Former CPT champion John Johnson III was the unlucky bubble finisher, losing with pocket tens to Chris D’Elia’s queens. From there, the eliminations came steadily, with NFL safety Terrell Edmunds falling in eighth, followed by reality TV personality Tellis Swift in seventh.
Norman built momentum through several crucial hands, knocking out Steve Weatherford with pocket eights and later eliminating AJ Smith-Shawver and UFC’s Paulo Costa. By the time the field reached three players, Norman held a commanding chip lead. He sent D’Elia home in third place after catching a queen on the river, setting the stage for a brief heads-up battle.
In the final showdown, Norman’s ten-nine offsuit connected perfectly on a T-9-9 flop against Frazier Kay’s short stack. The hand ended the match on the spot, leaving Kay with $10,000 as runner-up while Norman captured the title.
The victory reinforced Norman’s reputation as a fierce competitor, showing that his instincts translate just as well at the poker table as they did on the gridiron.
