Paul Krause, a 6-3, 200-pound free safety from the University of Iowa, became the leading pass intercepter of all time with 81 steals during a 16-season career with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings from 1964 to 1979.
A two-way star at Iowa, he was the second-round draft pick of the Redskins in 1964. Although he intercepted 28 passes in his first four seasons, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for linebacker Marlin McKeever and a seventh-round draft choice in 1968. He went on to excel with the Vikings for 12 more seasons before retiring after the 1979 campaign.
Krause had the kind of a blue-ribbon rookie season in 1964 that few ever achieve. He led the NFL in interceptions with 12 and was named to the All-NFL first team. He was named to his first of eight Pro Bowls and was second only to teammate running back Charley Taylor for NFL Rookie of the Year acclaim. In his second Pro Bowl following the 1965 season, he intercepted two passes. Named All-NFL four different times, Krause was also selected All-Eastern Conference twice, and All-NFC five times.
Born on February 19, 1942, in Flint, Michigan, Paul was the starting free safety in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI, in the 1969 NFL championship game and NFC title games in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977. He intercepted one pass in Super Bowl IV and recovered a fumble in Super Bowl IX.
During his landmark rookie season, Krause intercepted passes in seven straight games and he came near to matching that mark in 1968, when he had steals in six consecutive games. It took a three-interception season in his final 1979 campaign to surpass Emlen Tunnell, who had 79 steals, for the all-time record. The durable Krause missed only two games with injuries in 16 seasons.
| 1964 |
Washington |
14
|
12
|
140
|
11.7
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
| 1965 |
Washington |
14
|
6
|
118
|
19.7
|
0
|
5
|
56
|
1
|
| 1966 |
Washington |
13
|
2
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1967 |
Washington |
13
|
8
|
75
|
9.4
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| 1968 |
Minnesota |
14
|
7
|
82
|
11.7
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
| 1969 |
Minnesota |
14
|
5
|
82
|
16.4
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
| 1970 |
Minnesota |
14
|
6
|
90
|
15.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1971 |
Minnesota |
14
|
6
|
112
|
18.7
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
0
|
| 1972 |
Minnesota |
14
|
6
|
109
|
18.2
|
1
|
1
|
30
|
1
|
| 1973 |
Minnesota |
14
|
4
|
28
|
7.0
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
0
|
| 1974 |
Minnesota |
14
|
2
|
53
|
26.5
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
| 1975 |
Minnesota |
14
|
10
|
201
|
20.1
|
0
|
0
|
70
|
1
|
| 1976 |
Minnesota |
14
|
2
|
21
|
10.5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1977 |
Minnesota |
14
|
2
|
25
|
12.5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1978 |
Minnesota |
16
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 1979 |
Minnesota |
16
|
3
|
49
|
16.3
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
|
| Additional Career Statistics: Passing: 2-1-50, 1 TD; Rushing: 1-0; Receiving: 2-17 |
Championship Games
- 1969 NFL - Minnesota Vikings 27, Cleveland Browns 7 Krause was the starting right safety for the Vikings. He intercepted one pass for no return.
- 1973 NFC - Minnesota Vikings 27, Dallas Cowboys 10
Krause was the starting right safety for the Vikings.
- 1974 NFC - Minnesota Vikings 14, Los Angeles Rams 10
Krause was the starting right safety for the Vikings.
- 1976 NFC - Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
Krause was the starting right safety for the Vikings. He recorded one tackle and one assist.
- 1977 NFC - Dallas Cowboys 23, Minnesota Vikings 6
Krause was the starting right safety for the Vikings. He recorded five tackles and two assists.
Super Bowls
- Super Bowl IV - Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Krause started at right safety. He had one interception with no return. He also had two solo tackles and two assists.
- Super Bowl VIII - Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
Krause started at right safety. He was credited with four solo tackles, two assisted tackles and one pass defensed.
- Super Bowl IX - Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Krause started at right safety. He was credited with five tackles, two assisted tackles and a fumble recovery.
- Super Bowl XI - Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
Krause started at right safety. He was credited with six tackles, two assisted tackles and one pass defensed.
All-Pro: 1964 (AP*, UPI*, NEA*); 1965 (AP*, UPI*); 1971 (NEA); 1975 (AP, PFWA, PW)
All-Pro Second Team: 1968 (AP*); 1969 (AP*); 1972 (AP); 1975 (NEA)
All-NFC: 1964 (SN**); 1965 (SN**); 1970 (UPI); 1971 (UPI, SN, PW); 1972 (AP, UPI, SN); 1973 (AP, UPI, SN, PW); 1975 (AP, UPI, SN, PW)
*All-NFL **All-Conference (NFL Eastern Conference)
(8) - 1965, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
Most Interceptions, Career - 81
[Tied for 1st] - Most Touchdowns on Fumble Returns, Career - 3
[Tied for 1st] - Most Touchdowns on Opponents' Fumble Returns, Career - 3
[Tied for 2nd] - Most Consecutive Games with Interception - 7 (1964)
[3rd] Most Yards Gained on Interceptions, Career - 1,185
Post-Season Records
[Tied for 3rd] Most Opponents Fumbles Recovered, Career - 3
Vikings' records held by Krause at the time of his retirement following the 1979 season
Most Interceptions, Career - 53
Most Interceptions, Season - 10 (1975)
[2nd] Longest Interception Return - 81 yards (vs. San Diego, Nov. 23, 1975)
Redskins' records held by Krause
(Records through the 1967 season, Krause's last season with Washington)
[Tied for 2nd] Most Interceptions, Season - 12 (1964)
League Statistical ChampionshipsInterception Titles: 1964
NFC Statistical Championships
Interception Titles: 1975
Team Statistical Championships
Interception Titles: 1964^, 1965^*, 1967^, 1968^^, 1972^^, 1975^^
^ Washington Redskins; ^^ Minnesota Vikings; * co-leader
Full Name: Paul James Krause
Birthdate: February 19, 1942
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
High School: Bendle (Burton, MI)
Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January 24, 1998
Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 1, 1998
Presenter: Jerry Burns, former Vikings coach and Krause's coach at Iowa
Other Members of Class of 1998: Tommy McDonald, Anthony Muñoz, Mike Singletary,
Dwight Stephenson
Pro Career: 16 seasons, 226 games
Drafted: 2nd round (18th overall) in 1964 by Washington Redskins.
Uniform Number: #26 with Redskins; #22 with Vikings
Transactions: Traded by Washington to Minnesota for linebacker Marlin McKeever and a 7th round draft choice, July 4, 1968.