Don Paul (linebacker) facts for kids
Paul on a 1953 Bowman football card
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| Date of birth: | March 18, 1925 |
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| Place of birth: | Fresno, California, U.S. |
| Date of death: | November 8, 2014 (aged 89) |
| Place of death: | Woodland Hills, California, U.S. |
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Career information
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| Position(s): | Linebacker |
| College: | UCLA |
| NFL Draft: | 1947 / Round: 3 / Pick: 21 |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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| Pro Bowls: | 3 |
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Career stats
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| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Don Paul (born March 18, 1925 – died November 8, 2014) was a professional American football player. He was a talented linebacker who played for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL) from 1948 to 1955. During his time with the Rams, he was chosen to play in three Pro Bowls, which means he was one of the best players in the league.
Don Paul's Football Journey
Don Paul was a fantastic football player from a young age. He played college football at the UCLA. He was so good that he was one of only two players who got to play in six UCLA-USC games during the World War II years. This was a big deal because the UCLA-USC rivalry is one of the most famous in college sports!
Becoming an NFL Champion
After college, Don Paul joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. He quickly became a key player for the team as a linebacker. A linebacker is a defensive player who helps stop the other team from scoring. Don Paul was known for his strong tackles and smart plays.
His biggest achievement with the Rams was winning the NFL Championship in 1951. This meant his team was the best in the entire league that year! It's like winning the Super Bowl today. He was also selected to play in the Pro Bowl three times, showing how respected he was by other players and coaches.
Life After Playing Football
After his successful career as a player, Don Paul stayed involved with football for a short time. He worked as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams when his former teammate, Bob Waterfield, was the head coach.
Later, Don Paul decided to try something different. He teamed up with friends, including Roy Harlow, to open restaurants. First, they opened the Rams Horn restaurant. Then, he, Roy Harlow, Bob Waterfield (his former quarterback), and Bob Kelley (a radio announcer for the Rams) opened another restaurant called the Pump Room.
Don Paul passed away on November 8, 2014, after an illness. He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986, which is a special honor for great athletes from UCLA.
