Paul Oliver (American football) facts for kids
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | March 30, 1984 Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Died: | September 24, 2013 (aged 29) Marietta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Harrison (Kennesaw, Georgia) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Georgia | ||||||||||||
| Supplemental draft: | 2007 / Round: 4 / Pick: 4 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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Paul J. Oliver (born March 30, 1984 – died September 24, 2013) was an American football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL). The San Diego Chargers picked him in the 2007 NFL Supplemental Draft. He also played briefly for the New Orleans Saints.
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Early Life and High School Football
Paul Oliver grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia. He was a very talented football player in high school. He played for the Harrison High School Hoyas. Many colleges wanted him to play for their teams.
Experts like Rivals.com thought he was the best cornerback in 2003. A cornerback is a defensive player who tries to stop passes. Paul was known for his speed, running a 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds. He also had a great 37-inch vertical jump, showing how high he could leap.
College Football Career
Paul chose to play college football at the University of Georgia, close to his home. He spent one year as a redshirt, meaning he practiced with the team but didn't play in games. This helped him get ready for college-level play.
In his first two years playing, Paul was a key backup player. By his junior year, he became a starter and one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC. In his first game as a starter, he helped stop a star player from the University of Florida. Paul was given the "Most Improved Defensive Player Award" after the 2005 season.
One of his best games was against Georgia Tech in 2006. He helped limit Calvin Johnson, a future NFL star, to only 13 yards. Paul also intercepted a pass late in the game, helping his team win 15-12. During his college career, Paul had 7 interceptions, 94 tackles, and forced 5 fumbles.
Leaving College Early
Paul left college early in 2007. He decided to enter the NFL supplemental draft. This special draft allows players to join the NFL if they become eligible after the main draft has already happened.
Professional Football Career
The 2007 Supplemental Draft
Even though he didn't have as much time to prepare as other players, Paul Oliver was seen as the top player in the 2007 supplemental draft. The San Diego Chargers chose him by giving up their 4th-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. This made him one of only two players picked in that year's supplemental draft.
The Chargers' General Manager, A. J. Smith, said that Paul was a "very competitive, aggressive, confident player." He believed Paul would be a good addition to the team.
Playing in the NFL
Paul Oliver played for the San Diego Chargers from 2007 to 2010. After that, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team. He signed with the New Orleans Saints, but an injury during training camp led to his release.
On September 21, 2011, Paul returned to play for the San Diego Chargers for the 2011 season. Throughout his NFL career, Paul Oliver made 145 tackles, had 4 interceptions, and scored 1 defensive touchdown.
Death
Paul Oliver passed away on September 24, 2013. He was 29 years old. He was survived by his wife, Chelsea Young, and their two children.
Images for kids
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Paul Oliver playing football.
