| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1985 (age 40) |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Seneca Vocational (Buffalo, New York) |
| College | ECC (2003–2005) Coppin (2005–2007) |
| NBA draft | 2007: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2009–2012 |
| Position | Forward |
| Career history | |
| 2009–2010 | Buffalo Stampede |
| 2010 | Äänekosken Huima |
| 2012 | Summerside Storm (drafted) |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Michael Norwood is an American former basketball player who is currently a lieutenant with the Buffalo Police Department.
Norwood is one-half of the musical duo The Singing Cops with fellow officer Armonde "Moe" Badger, and they were contestants together on The Amazing Race 33 .
Michael Norwood Jr. was born in Buffalo, New York, playing basketball for Seneca Vocational High School and receiving All-Western New York honors following his senior season in 2003. [1]
He played for two seasons at Erie Community College under Alexander Nwora from 2003 to 2005. [2] After transferring to Coppin State University in 2005, he played two seasons under Fang Mitchell before going undrafted in the 2007 NBA draft. [3]
Norwood played professionally for the Buffalo Stampede for both of their seasons in the Premier Basketball League from 2009 to 2010. [4]
After being signed by the Äänekosken Huima in Finland, Norwood injured his foot in training and was released by the club in September 2010 prior to their season opener. [5] His father, Michael Norwood Sr. had been a star with the team in the 1970s. [5] [6]
He was selected in the third round of the 2012 NBL Canada draft by the Summerside Storm, but instead chose to retire in favor of a law enforcement career. [7]
Norwood was hired as a police officer by the Buffalo Police Department in January 2013. [8]
A clip of Norwood and his partner Armonde "Moe" Badger singing "Thinking Out Loud" inside a restaurant went viral in March 2019, leading to the pair making national appearances as The Singing Cops. [9] They appeared together on an April 2019 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show , with the host donating $10,000 to their C.O.P.S.S. (Children Overcoming Police Stereotypes Through Sports) foundation. [10] The Singing Cops released a song titled "Different" in July 2009. [11]
Norwood was placed on administrative leave in August 2019 following an incident where his patrol car collided with a motorcycle. [12]
He began competing as a professional bodybuilder for the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation in July 2021. [13] [14]
Badger and Norwood appeared as contestants together on The Amazing Race 33 in January 2022, and were the first team eliminated. [15]
Norwood was promoted to the rank of lieutenant by the Buffalo Police Department in November 2022. [16]