The Dallas Cowboys, Syracuse Orange and the rest of the football world is dealing with a tragedy Wednesday. Multiple media reports indicate that former Syracuse star defensive back and current Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul has passed away suddenly at the age of 54.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement confirming the news.
It’s being noted that emergency personnel were called to the Cowboys’ facility Tuesday morning due to what is being called a medical emergency. The Cowboys promptly canceled practice.
The Cowboys also announced Paul’s death via their official website.
“Tragedy has hit the Dallas Cowboys in a major way with the passing of Markus Paul, the team’s strength and conditioning coach,” the statement read. “Paul was hospitalized since Tuesday, when he received emergency treatment by the Cowboys’ medical team at the team headquarters in Frisco before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance. After a lengthy series of further medical tests, Paul died on Wednesday, at the age of 54.”
There were premature reports of Markus Paul’s death after the above-mentioned medical emergency on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it has now come to fruition. No cause of death has been mentioned as of yet.
Dallas Cowboys’ Markus Paul career and death
Paul played for Syracuse from 1984-88, finishing his career with the most interceptions in program history (18). He earned All-American honors before being selected in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
The defensive back played parts of five seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the likes of the Bears and Buccaneers. He recorded seven career interceptions. Shortly thereafter, Paul started working as an assistant coach in the NFL. That included stints with the Saints, Patriots, Jets, Giants and Cowboys. Paul is a five-time Super Bowl champion.
Our thoughts obviously go out to the Markus Paul family, those close to the young man and the entire Cowboys’ organization during these most difficult of times.