| No. 83, 75[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position: | End |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1931-02-24)February 24, 1931 Muskegon, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died: | May 8, 2001(2001-05-08) (aged 70) Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Muskegon (Michigan) |
| College: | Michigan State (1949–1952) |
| NFL draft: | 1953: 3rd round, 27th pick |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Paul Nelson Dekker (February 24, 1931 – May 8, 2001) was an American professionalfootballend who played for theHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League (CFL) and theWashington Redskins of theNational Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Redskins in the third round of the1953 NFL draft after playingcollege football for theMichigan State Spartans.
Paul Nelson Dekker was born on February 24, 1931, inMuskegon, Michigan.[1] He playedhigh school football atMuskegon High School as anend and earned all-state honors twice.[1][2][3] He was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.[2]
Dekker was a member of theMichigan State Spartans ofMichigan State College from 1949 to 1952.[2] He was a two-year starter andletterman from 1951 to 1952.[1] He was part of the Michigan State team that won the school's first football national championship in 1952, after finishing the season with a 9–0 record.[2] Dekker was also named to theAssociated Press's All-Western team in 1952 and caught 13 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown that season.[2][4] After his senior year, he played in theEast–West Shrine game, theChicago Charities College All-Star Game, and theHula Bowl.[2]
Dekker was selected by theWashington Redskins of theNational Football League (NFL) in the third round, with the 27th overall pick, of the1953 NFL draft.[5] He played in 11 games, starting eight, during his rookie year in 1953, catching 14 passes for 182yards and one touchdown.[5] He became a free agent on May 1, 1954.[6] Dekker re-signed with the team in 1956 but was later released on September 21, 1956.[6]
Dekker played in 90 games for theHamilton Tiger-Cats of theCanadian Football League (CFL) from 1956 to 1962, recording 234 receptions for 3,718 yards and 27 touchdowns.[1] He was part of the Tiger-Cats team that won the45th Grey Cup against theWinnipeg Blue Bombers on November 30, 1957.[7] He was aCFL East All-Star four times from 1958 to 1961.[8]
Dekker died on May 8, 2001, inBurlington, Ontario, Canada.[5]