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Dallas Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died Wednesday at the age of 54.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement Wednesday night. By Dallascowboys.com:
“The loss of a family member is a tragedy, and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family,” Jones said. “He was a pleasant and calming influence in our weight room and throughout The Star. His passion for his work and his enthusiasm for life have earned him the great respect and admiration of all our players and the entire organization. We offer our love and support to his family at this very difficult time. Our hearts are broken for his family and all those whose lives he touched and improved.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy also released a statement:
“We extend our love, strength and support for Markus’ family during this most difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected in the future,” said McCarthy. “Markus Paul was a leader in this building. He earned the respect and attention of the players because he cared so much and was a naturally gifted communicator – both personally and professionally. He handled every situation, sometimes with a smile and a pat on the back, and sometimes with tough love. He had an innate tenacity in a job that demanded this quality, and he was admired throughout the NFL by his peers and the players he coached. It was a privilege to work with him as a coach and to laugh with him as a friend. Markus did everything the right way.
Paul was hospitalized Tuesday after experiencing a “medical emergency” according to a declaration published by the team.
There were a number of players lifting weights on Tuesday morning around 7:30 a.m. when Paul, whose office opens into the weight room, collapsed. He was immediately taken care of by the team’s medical staff when paramedics called. Club employees estimate that the ambulance took five minutes or less to arrive. Paul was driven to a nearby hospital moments before the players gathered for their morning meeting.
The Cowboys canceled training on Tuesday after the 54-year-old was rushed to hospital, just two days before Dallas played with the Washington football team in an NFC East showdown on the day of Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
According to Sports Illustrated, Paul was a defensive back in Syracuse from 1984 to 1988. The Syracuse Athletics website shows that Paul was an All-American in 1988 and held the school records for one-game interceptions (three) and a career (19). According to Syracuse University, Paul was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Prize, awarded annually to the nation’s top varsity defensive back, in 1987 and 1988. Paul was named to the Syracuse University All-Century team in November 1999.
The Chicago Bears drafted Paul in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in 1989. At No. 95, Paul played more than four years with the Bears and ended his five-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993 He played 71 regular season games, making 15 starts and recording seven interceptions.
According to Sports Illustrated, Paul spent time as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints (1998-99), New England Patriots (2000-04), New York Jets (2005-06) and New York Giants (2007-18 ).
He was the proud owner of five Super Bowl rings: three with the Patriots and two with the Giants.
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