DALLAS Cowboys strength and condition coach Markus Paul died Wednesday at the age of 54, just a day after he was rushed to the hospital.
Paul was rushed to the Plano Presbyterian Hospital Tuesday morning after experiencing a medical emergency.
Paul died surrounded by his family Wednesday evening. A cause of death has not been announced.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones paid tribute to Paul and his work on the football team.
“The loss of a family member is a tragedy, and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family,” Jones said in a statement. “He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout The Star.”
“His passion for his work and his enthusiasm for life earned him great respect and admiration from all our players and the entire organization,” Jones said. “We offer our love and support to his family in this very difficult time.”
“Our hearts are broken for his family and all of the individuals whose lives he touched and made better,” he ended.
The Cowboys will honor Paul at AT&T Stadium before their annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Washington Football Team.
The Cowboys coach was treated by team medical personnel before being transported to a local hospital just before 7:30AM Central Time Tuesday.
Head coach Mike McCarthy cancelled practice on Tuesday, before resuming practice Wednesday for 75 minutes – which is considered normal under the circumstances.
Paul joined the Cowboys in 2018 as an assistant to then strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik before taking the job in 2020 when McCarthy became head coach.
McCarthy offered kind words to Paul and his family.
“We extend our love, strength and support to Markus’ family during this most challenging of times and ask that their privacy be respected moving forward,” McCarthy said in a statement.
“Markus Paul was a leader in this building,” McCarthy continued. “He earned the players’ respect and attention because he cared so much and was a naturally gifted communicator — both on the personal and professional levels.”
“He handled every situation, sometimes with a smile and a pat on the back, and sometimes with tough love,” said McCarthy. “He had innate toughness in a job that requires that quality, and he was admired throughout the NFL by his peers and the players he coached.”
“It was a privilege to work with him as a coach and laugh with him as a friend,” McCarthy ended. “Markus did everything the right way.”
More to follow…
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