Paul Dekker

Paul Nelson Dekker (February 24, 1931 – May 8, 2001) was an American and Canadian football player for the Michigan State Spartans and professionally for the Washington Redskins and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. At Michigan State, Dekker was a starting end in his junior and senior years. The Spartans were runners-up for the 1951 National Championship in the Associated Press poll and National Champions in the undefeated 1952 season. He was selected by t... more

Paul Nelson Dekker (February 24, 1931 – May 8, 2001) was an American and Canadian football player for the Michigan State Spartans and professionally for the Washington Redskins and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. At Michigan State, Dekker was a starting end in his junior and senior years. The Spartans were runners-up for the 1951 National Championship in the Associated Press poll and National Champions in the undefeated 1952 season. He was selected by the Associated Press as a member of their All‑Western team. Dekker represented the Spartans in the annual East‑West Shrine contest, pulling in a game-record nine receptions for 100 yards. A member of the 1953 College All‑Stars and the 1953 Hula Bowl squad, he was selected in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Dekker remained with the Redskins for only one season. In 1954, he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. In nine seasons at Hamilton, Dekker played in the Grey Cup championship... less