Rep. Norm Johnson meets retired football star Norm Johnson

February 16, 2017

Norm Johnson is a former school administrator, served on the Toppenish and Yakima city councils, and for the past eight years has been a state representative from the 14th District. The other Norm Johnson is a retired Seahawks' kicker who wears a giant ring from his 1995 Super Bowl win when he was with the Pittsburg Steelers. On Thursday, the two men with the same name met for the first time at the state Capitol. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: Norm Johnson took a seat on the House floor. He walked to the rostrum and posed for photos with legislative staff. Then he gazed around the building as he waited to meet Representative Norm Johnson.

SEAHAWK JOHNSON: “I’ve been on Google before and found out that there was a Norm Johnson here in the Capitol building. So yeah, it was always kind of interested to meet him.”

SATTGAST:The surprise meeting was arranged by Representative Norm Johnson’s legislative assistant, Gale Sackman. It happened in the chief clerk’s office of the House of Representatives.

JOHNSON MEETS JOHNSON: “What’s all this about?” (Sackman) “Norm, I would like you to meet Norm Johnson!” (laughing) (Rep. Johnson) “I heard I was summonsed.” (Seahawk Johnson) “Very nice to meet you!” (Rep. Johnson) “Well it’s my pleasure!”

SATTGAST: Norm Johnson, the kicker, played with the Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons, the Pittsburg Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 2000. He now lives in Kitsap County.

JOHNSON MEETS JOHNSON: (Sattgast) “So what’s it like for Norm Johnson to meet Norm Johnson?” (Rep. Johnson) “Well, I’ll tell you this much, he’s in much better shape than I am.” (Seahawk Johnson) “I don’t know what kind of shape I’m in. I’m not that good. I, I need to get to the gym, but. . .(Rep. Johnson) “Put us together and you can tell.” (laugh)

SATTGAST: The Johnsons spent the morning together – one signing autographs – the other discussing bills. It was just the kind of levity needed at the state Capitol as lawmakers rush to get their bills out of committee.

John Sattgast, Olympia.