Paul Dickson (football player)
Encyclopedia
Paul Serafin Dickson was a former defensive tackle and coach in the National Football League
. Over his 12 year career, Dickson played for the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys
, Minnesota Vikings
, and St. Louis Cardinals
.
by the Los Angeles Rams out of Baylor University
. After the 1959 season, he played the 1960 season for the Dallas Cowboys. Following the 1960 season, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns
, but did not play a snap. Before the 1961 season, Dickson was acquired by the Minnesota Vikings along with five other players (including defensive lineman Jim Marshall
) for two draft picks in the 1961 NFL Draft
and thus became one of the original players in the team's inaugural season. Following the trade, Dickson would be switched from right tackle to defensive tackle - a position he would play for the rest of his career. In practice, Dickson was known for playing at full-speed, much to the irritation of his teammates on the offensive side of the ball. Seven years later, he would help propel the team to Super Bowl IV
at Tulane Stadium
in New Orleans, Louisiana
, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs
. After 10 seasons and 129 games with the Vikings, Dickson was released after the 1970 season and played the 1971 season, his last, for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In January 1971, Dickson joined several ex-Viking teammates (including Marshall) and other Minnesota friends in snowmobile excursion that ended in tragedy. Traveling up to Montana's Bear Tooth Pass, a party of 16 became fragmented, and then stranded in a blizzard and had to spend a frigid night in the snow with few provisions. Dickson, Marshall and three others huddled together in a grove of trees, and lit all the cash they had on them -- "Hundreds, twenties, ones, they were all the same denomination: burnable," Marshall said—in order to start a small fire to keep from freezing. Although everyone would be rescued the next day, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Hugh Galusha died of hypothermia.
. Dickson died on June 7, 2011 of a blood infection.
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Over his 12 year career, Dickson played for the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Football career
Originally playing as an offensive lineman, Dickson was a first round selection (ninth overall pick) in the 1959 NFL Draft1959 NFL Draft
The 1959 National Football League Draft was held on December 2, 1958 and January 21, 1959 .-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
by the Los Angeles Rams out of Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. After the 1959 season, he played the 1960 season for the Dallas Cowboys. Following the 1960 season, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but did not play a snap. Before the 1961 season, Dickson was acquired by the Minnesota Vikings along with five other players (including defensive lineman Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall (American football)
James "Jim" Lawrence Marshall played college football at the Ohio State University. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns...
) for two draft picks in the 1961 NFL Draft
1961 NFL Draft
The 1961 National Football League Draft took place on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft. This draft was also the first regular draft for...
and thus became one of the original players in the team's inaugural season. Following the trade, Dickson would be switched from right tackle to defensive tackle - a position he would play for the rest of his career. In practice, Dickson was known for playing at full-speed, much to the irritation of his teammates on the offensive side of the ball. Seven years later, he would help propel the team to Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, and the second one to officially bear the name "Super Bowl"...
at Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium was an outdoor football stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1926 to 1980. Officially known as the Third Tulane Stadium, it replaced the "Second Tulane Stadium" where the Telephone Exchange Building is now located...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. After 10 seasons and 129 games with the Vikings, Dickson was released after the 1970 season and played the 1971 season, his last, for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In January 1971, Dickson joined several ex-Viking teammates (including Marshall) and other Minnesota friends in snowmobile excursion that ended in tragedy. Traveling up to Montana's Bear Tooth Pass, a party of 16 became fragmented, and then stranded in a blizzard and had to spend a frigid night in the snow with few provisions. Dickson, Marshall and three others huddled together in a grove of trees, and lit all the cash they had on them -- "Hundreds, twenties, ones, they were all the same denomination: burnable," Marshall said—in order to start a small fire to keep from freezing. Although everyone would be rescued the next day, Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Hugh Galusha died of hypothermia.
Retirement
After his one season in St. Louis, Dickson, wife Maureen, and sons Scott and Slade returned to Minneapolis, MN to live where he worked in sales, marketing and customer relations for computer companies. He was also a member and president of the Minnesota chapter of the NFL Alumni AssociationNational Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni is a 501 charity that is composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." The NFL Alumni advances its motto...
. Dickson died on June 7, 2011 of a blood infection.