The Dallas Cowboys organization and family has suffered a tremendous loss. After having to be rushed from the team facility to the hospital on Tuesday morning, Strength and Conditioning Coach Markus Paul passed away Wednesday evening at Plano Presbyterian Hospital. He was 54 years old.
Paul, a former NFL player of five seasons hailing from Syracuse University, has spent the last two decades coaching at various stops around the league. He’s the owner of five Super Bowl championship rings earned while with the New England Patriots and New York Giants. He’s spent the last three seasons working with the Cowboys under head coaches Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy. After being an assistant S&C coach under Mike Woicik, Paul was promoted this past January. The team, owner Jerry Jones and McCarthy offered the following statements.
Statement from the organization
Statement from the team owner
Statement from the head coach
Around the football world, love for Paul and support and condolences for his family rang out in the immediate wake of the announcement.
The Cowboys didn't allow the media to have much access to the strength coaches especially under the stoic Mike Woicik. But we knew there was a change in humanity when Markus Paul showed up in 2018. Always a smile on his face and old school soul music blaring from weight room. RIP
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 25, 2020
The loss of Markus Paul is just stunning. Beautiful soul, wonderful person and a leader in every way. Thankful for his presence💔🙏🏻🙏🏻 Impossible to understand.
— Brad Sham (@Boys_Vox) November 25, 2020
Damn this one hurt! Paul you will be truly missed! Tears in my eyes just thinking about having breakfast with you every morning and conversing about these “Young bucks”. I can hear you in my head now “Tann these young bucks different” lol will forever have you in my 🖤 pic.twitter.com/E47iw5pCYA
— Phillip Tanner (@PTanner34) November 25, 2020
Man. Paul was one of a kind! Never a bad day. Kept a smile on his face always upbeat! Loved his family and his team. Damn this one really taking me down. Will miss my guy. 😢
— Phillip Tanner (@PTanner34) November 25, 2020
One of the kindest, most humble men I’ve ever come across. Prayers to his family 🙏🏿 https://t.co/exMVpejvq2
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) November 25, 2020
With the Thanksgiving holiday upon families across the country, loss seems to resonate even more in 2020. Dallas will have to summon the strength to play a game less than 24 hours after losing a member of their family. Cowboys Wire sends our condolences to Paul’s family and football brethren.
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