FRISCO, Texas – Marcus Paul, a strength and conditioning co-ordinator of Dal Dal Las Cowboys, who was rushed to hospital Tuesday morning after facing a medical crisis, has died, the team announced Wednesday. He was 54 years old.
Surrounded by family, Paul died at the Presbyterian Hospital in Plano on Wednesday evening.
The cause of death has not been announced.
“The loss of family members is a tragedy and Marcus Paul was a dear and valued member of our family,” Cowboy owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in a statement. “It was a pleasant and calming impression in our strength room and throughout the star.
“His passion for his work and enthusiasm for life earned him much respect and admiration from all our players and the entire organization. We extend our love and support to his family in these very difficult times. Our hearts are broken for his family and all. The people whose lives he touched and made better. “
The Cowboys will recognize and remember Paul before the Thanksgiving Day match against the Washington Football Team at the AT&T Stadium.
Paul was treated by Cowboy’s medical staff and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Coach Mike McCarthy canceled Tuesday’s practice, and Wednesday’s session lasted about 75 minutes, which, given the circumstances, was considered close to normal.
Paul joined the Cowboys in 2018 as an assistant to Mike Woonick and was appointed strength and conditioning coordinator after arriving as coach of McCarthy.
“We extend our love, strength and support to Marx’s family in these most challenging times and say that their privacy should be respected going forward,” McCarthy said in a statement on Wednesday. “Marcus Paul was at the forefront of this building. He earned the respect and attention of the players because he was very caring and a natural and gifted communicator – both on a personal and professional level. He handled every situation, sometimes with a smile and a stretch on the back and Sometimes with strict love.
“He had an innate toughness in a job that required quality, and he was admired by his teammates and players throughout his NFL. It was a great privilege to work with him as a coach and laugh with him like a friend.” Everything properly. “
Several cowboy players took to Twitter to pay tribute to Paul, including linebacker Jillian Smith and Cornback KJourdan Lewis.
Marcus for being you. Learned a lot by observing you. Servant Leader – Forget laughter and jokes. Relax in Heaven – Peace, Love and Prayers to All Affected JITs pic.twitter.com/7hqtgMrNop
– Gelon Smith (@ Tejelonsmith) November 26, 2020
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
Paul played five years as a defensive back in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1989 to 1993, four seasons later at Syracuse, where he was a two-time All-American.
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 anyone who has had the privilege of knowing him,” Rivera said. “Marcus was a tremendous companion during my time with the Chicago Bears and a good friend to me over the years. He was just a great man and a lot of people will miss him.”
Paul entered the coaching ranks with the New Orleans Saints in 1998 and then spent five seasons with the New England Patriots under Wusick from 2000 to 2004. In 2005 and ’06, Paul was the director of physical development and major strength and conditioning. Coach for the New York Jets.
He spent 11 seasons with the New York Giants as an assistant strength coach before joining the Cowboys.
Jets mourned on his Twitter account Wednesday, describing Paul as “a kind man who made a lasting impression on the lucky ones who crossed his path.”
The Giants also tweeted about Paul, calling him “a favorite member of our organization for many years” and saying, “He will miss a lot.”
“While Marcus’ time in New Orleans was relatively short almost two decades ago, he left a lasting legacy as a family first, hardworking man who took deep care of the players and the rich history of the NFL,” the Saints said in a statement.
In 2012, before playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cowboys experienced a day of player loss, when practice-squ squad squad linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident in which fellow Josh Brent was the driver. The Cowboys displayed Brown’s jersey on their benches and won the game.
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
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