30 greatest NFL defensive players of all-time
By Daniel Tran
28. Paul Krause, Defensive Back
In an era when quarterbacks were not throwing the ball like it was a plague-laden leather contraption, safety Paul Krause made the most of his opportunities. Playing both wide receiver and defensive back at Iowa, Krause was one of the first players to pioneer the term “ball hawk.”
In his first season in the NFL, Krause amassed 12 interceptions, which lead the NFL, and had two fumble recoveries for the Washington Redskins, earning him a First-team All-Pro selection his rookie year. It would not be the first time that Krause would be mentioned with the best of the NFL during that era.
Krause ended his 16-year career with the Minnesota Vikings, but not before he was selected to eight All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. His ability to make plays on the ball resulted in 81 career interceptions, a mark that has never been reached by any other player.
He also won an NFL Championship in 1969 with the Redskins and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
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