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'Now it definitely has significant meaning' — How new Chiefs DT Omarr Norman-Lott became synonymous with No. 55

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated May 8, 2025 12:49 PM ET

One of the toughest things to do on a football field actually comes after you make a play. You've exhausted all your efforts to help your team in a big way, and thousands upon thousands are watching you play. You're driven to celebrate, but what you do in that moment can have a lasting impact.

Just look at Kansas City Chiefs DE George Karlaftis, who got roasted by his teammates for his celebration (or lack thereof) after his first sack. For new Chiefs DT Omarr Norman-Lott, the impact of his first celebration is something he'll carry to the NFL and wear on his chest every week as he chases around quarterbacks and ball carriers.

At first, Norman-Lott didn't see much symbolism or meaning in the No. 55. It was just the number assigned to him as a lowly freshman. That all changed upon making a play.

"Arizona State kind of just put me in 55," Norman-Lott said. "It didn't have any special meaning to me, and then I went out there and made a play. And I just went like this. . .

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Like Will Ferrell's famous character Ricky Bobby in the 2006 film "Talladega Nights," Norman-Lott had no idea what to do with his hands upon making his first big play in college football. Funny enough, that moment would stick with him through four years of college football and now into the NFL.

"This was my celebration, I had two fives up," Norman-Lott continued. "And ever since then, it just stuck with that team. They started calling me 5-5, and then it was just... Now it definitely has a significant meaning behind me on the field and playing."

As much as he'd like to take credit for a clever sack celebration that was a nod to his jersey number, this was all a happy accident. The celebration had no rhyme or reason other than the energy and excitement coursing through him.

Little did he know that such a small thing could have such a profound impact and follow him from college football to the NFL.

"Yeah, it just (happened)," Norman-Lott said. "I wasn't thinking about it. It was just right there."