An original Oiler, Jim Norton mainly played off of the bench as a rookie, which was the year that Houston won the inaugural AFL Championship.  He would be a much more significant contributor in the years that followed.

Norton was a starting Safety in his sophomore season, posting a career-high nine Interceptions.  The Oilers won the AFL Championship again, and Norton's performance against Denver cemented them a spot in the 1962 AFL Title Game when he picked off Bronco's Quarterback, Frank Tripucka, three times.  The Oilers did not three-peat, but Norton was named to the AFL All-Star Team that year.

Norton was an All-Star again in 1963 and 1967, and twice was a Second Team All-Pro.  He retired after the 1968 season with 45 career Interceptions.  Norton was also a star Punter who led the AFL in Punts and Punting Yards in 1965.

Norton, who was beloved by the Oilers, would have his number 43 retired by the team in 1968, becoming the first player to earn that in franchise history.  He would later be inducted to the Oilers/Titans Ring of Honor in 1999.