Whitney Paul, a former New Orleans Saints linebacker from 1982-85, died on Dec. 3 in Houston, Texas. He was 72. Paul, who crafted an 11-year NFL career that began as a 10 th -round draft pick by the Chiefs (No. 277 overall) in 1976, made his way via trade to New Orleans in 1982, and concluded with Kansas City in 1986.

It wasn't until after New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Jim Wilks and linebacker Whitney Paul finished playing in the NFL, and reconnected in Houston as retirees, that Wilks learned his former teammate was a star track and field athlete in high school.

Paul was even preparing to train for the 1976 Olympic decathlon and pentathlon, before being informed by Colorado coach Eddie Crowder that football had to be his priority or he would risk losing his scholarship.

That tu

See Full Page