Heart of a Hall of Famer: Paul Krause talks about interceptions, playing for Bud Grant

The fifth and last installment of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s “Heart of a Hall of Famer” series connected by Extreme Networks for the 2022-23 school year took place recently in Canton, with Hall of Famer and NFL record holder PAUL KRAUSE. He was in front of hundreds of students from Northeast Ohio (and some lucky museum visitors) to talk about his career with the Vikings, his NFL interception record and what it was like playing for Hall of Fame Coach BUD GRANT.

Krause, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound free safety from the University of Iowa, became the leading pass interceptor of all time with 81 interceptions during a 16-season career with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings from 1964 to 1979.

Krause had the kind of 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. Paul was the starting free safety in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI, and in the 1969 NFL Championship Game and NFC title games in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977 and was named All-NFL four different times. Krause was also selected All-Eastern Conference twice and All-NFC five times.

Krause spoke to students about his career journey — from a high school all-American to a two-sport star at Iowa to his time in Washington and Minnesota — and what he learned along the way. One of the most influential people in his life, both on and off the field, was none other than fellow Hall of Famer and his coach with the Vikings, the late Grant. Krause spoke about his first encounter with his former coach saying he only told him four words — “don’t get beat deep” — a small, but impactful message that stuck with him his entire career. During his time in Canton, there was one trait that Krause expounded on time and time again — humility. He spoke about how it was important to never think of yourself “as the best” and to always strive to achieve something bigger than yourself. Check out the entire program at https://youtu.be/tgcel8YAmNI.

This was the last program of the school year at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for this event, but there will be more this fall! Make sure to stay tuned to https://www.profootballhof.com/youth-education for all of the information.