Paul Krause

Paul James Krause (born February 19, 1942) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins. Krause established himself as a proficient defensive force against opposing wide receivers. He led the league with 12 interceptions as a rookie before going on to set the NFL career interceptions record with 81 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Krause was selected eight times to the Pro Bowl during his 16 seasons in the NFL and is considered to be among the greatest safeties in NFL history.

Early life Krause attended and played high school football at Bendle High School in Burton, Michigan, and earned all-state honors in basketball, football, baseball and track. Known for once scoring 78 points in a basketball game, he was one of the few in his high school to ever receive an athletic scholarship.

College career

Krause attended and played college football at the University of Iowa. He was a two-way starter as a wide receiver, running back, and defensive back.

Krause also played baseball at Iowa. As a sophomore, he earned All-American honors and was selected into the major leagues, but he turned down the offer. In his rookie season, he led the NFL in interceptions with 12, including interceptions in seven straight games, and was named to the All-NFL first team. He was named to his first of eight Pro Bowls and was second only to teammate Charley Taylor for the NFL Rookie of the Year award.

Krause was often referred to as the Vikings' "center fielder" because of his success as an interscholastic baseball player and his ability to catch interceptions. Krause's run of Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections concluded with the 1975 season, which saw him intercept 10 passes. It was the second time Krause intercepted ten passes in a season and it made him the seventh (and currently last) player in pro football history to have two 10-interception seasons. The next two seasons saw him record two interceptions each before the 1978 season start just two games (and make appearances in the other 14 games) and recorded zero interceptions.

In his final season of 1979, Krause appeared in 16 games with eight starts. In the December 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams, he set a new interception record in the second quarter to pass the previous record of 79 held by Emlen Tunnell (who like Krause played for Iowa). Krause recorded another interception in the fourth quarter of what ended up being a 27–21 overtime loss; these were his final interceptions as a player.

Currently, Krause is involved in real estate development and insurance, and he owns several restaurants, He previously owned a golf course in Elk River, Minnesota.

Krause was named to the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1985,

The current scoreboard at Father Aagason Field (the former Holy Redeemer Field) in Burton, Michigan, was named in his honor, and was erected through funds from Meijer, Bendle High School boosters and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church parishioners.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league NFL record Bold Career high

GeneralInterceptions Year Team GP Int Yds Avg Lng TD WAS 1412 140 11.7 35 1 WAS 14 6 118 19.7 43 0 WAS 13 2 0 0.0 0 0 WAS 13 8 75 9.4 32 0 MIN 14 7 82 11.7 29 0 MIN 14 5 82 16.4 77 1 MIN 14 6 90 15.0 40 0 MIN 14 6 112 18.7 31 0 MIN 14 6 109 18.2 35 1 MIN 14 4 28 7.0 24 0 MIN 14 2 53 26.5 45 0 MIN 14 10201 20.1 81 0 MIN 14 2 21 10.5 19 0 MIN 14 2 25 12.5 25 0 MIN 16 — — — — — MIN 16 3 49 16.3 18 0Career 22681 1,185 14.6 81 3

Personal life Krause is married to his wife, Pam, and has two daughters and one son.