
1971 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE
DON
PAUL
For more than 20 years, be it as a high school, university, and pro competitor or as a coach and leader, Don Paul has excelled in the game of football.
Paul’s pro career began with Los Angeles Rams in 1948 and he played eight years with the Southern California National Football League entry. As a top linebacker, he played on five Division Champion Ram teams in ‘49, ‘50, ‘51, ‘52, and ‘55. During this time Paul played three Pro Bowls, 1951-1953 and in 1951 with the Ram World Champions.
During his tenure with the Rams, he was the defensive signal-caller for seven years and was team captain four seasons. He was All-Pro Linebacker in 1952.
Paul was born in Fresno but he moved to Los Angeles with his family early in his life.
He tasted football competition first when he entered Los Angeles High School where he was an outstanding lineman and showed potential on defense.
In the World War II year of 1943, he matriculated to the University of California at Los Angeles. He made the Uclan Varsity as a freshman and was team captain in 1944. That New Year’s Day, he played in the Shrine East-West Game in San Francisco.
After the War, he returned to UCLA and was named to the All-Coast team and competed in the Rose Bowl.
He was named “All-Time Bruin Center” and as a member of the Bruin All-Time Bruin Team.
After retiring as a player, Paul coached the College All-Stars defense in 1957 against the Giants and in 1958 in a win against the Lions.
He was a defensive coach for the Rams for three years, 1959-1961.
He was honored by the Helms Hall of Fame as a linebacker.
The late Dan Reeves, the owner of the Rams, named Paul to his All-Time Ram Team as a linebacker.