Pettis Norman, a trailblazing 12-year NFL veteran who spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, has died at the age of 86.

Pettis Norman, a tight end on the football field and a civil rights advocate off of it, has died. He was 86. Norman played for the Dallas Cowboys (1962-70) and San Diego Chargers (1971-73). He was a member of the first Cowboys' team to play in the Super Bowl -- Super Bowl V in 1971, a 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts.

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Pettis Norman, known as much for his achievements on the field as he was for his accomplishments off of it, died Monday, according to a team announcement. He was 86. Norman was a celebrated entrepreneur,