Dallas Cowboys strength coach Marcus Paul died Wednesday, a day after he was taken to hospital after experiencing a medical emergency at a team facility. He was 54 years old. The cause of death is pending, the team said.
Paul was a strength and conditioning coach with the Cowboys in his third season, 12 seasons with the New Reliance Saints, the New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the New York Giants. Paul was part of five Super Bowl championships, with three Patriots and two Giants.
My feelings are very sad … My sympathy for the Paul family. Coach Marcus was a great man and we loved being better, you miss the coach!
– Jordan Lewis (JordanJD) November 26, 2020
Former NFL safety played for the Chicago Bears (1989-93) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993). He played in 71 games with 17 starts in five games. It was a fourth-round draft from Syracuse, where he was an AP All-American as a senior in 1998.
“The loss of a family member is a tragedy and Marcus Paul was a dear and valued member of our family,” said Dallas owner Jerry Jones. “It was a pleasant and quiet effect in our strength room.”
The Cowboys canceled practice Tuesday after Paul was taken to hospital. The team practiced on Wednesday, a day before the Thanksgiving game against Washington.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said it was a privilege to work with Paul as a coach and laugh with him as a friend.
“Marcus Paul was the leader in this building. He earned the respect and attention of the players because he was very caring and an inherently intelligent communicator on a personal and professional level, ”McCarthy said. “He handled every situation, sometimes with a smile on his back and sometimes with a strong love. He had an innate toughness in a job that required quality, and he was praised by his teammates and players throughout the NFL. ”
Washington head coach Ron Rivera and Paul Paul were partners with the Bears during Rievera’s athletic careers during 1989-92.
“The demise of Marcus Paul is a true loss to the NFL community and whoever had the privilege of knowing him.” “Marcus was a great companion during my time with the Chicago Bears and has been a good friend to me for years. He was just a great man and many will miss him. ”
