Dawgs By Nature
Cleveland Browns defensive end Paul Wiggin, who played 11 years with the team and was a member of the 1964 NFL Championship squad, passed away on Friday.
He was 91.
A sixth-round selection by the Browns in the 1956 NFL Draft, Wiggin went on to play in 146 consecutive games while being named to the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1967. Beginning in 1960, he started a streak of having at least six sacks for eight consecutive years, hitting a career high of nine in 1960, but also tallying 8.5 in his final season.
In the 1964 title game victory against the Indianapolis Colts, Wiggin recovered a fumble, one of four he had that season, including one that he returned for a touchdown.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Wiggin began a longtime coaching career, first as a defensive coach with the San Francisco 49ers (1968 to 1974), then as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs (1975 to 1977), defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints (1978 to 1979), and head coach of his alma mater at Stanford (1980 to 1983).
His longest tenure came with the Minnesota Vikings, as he joined the franchise as an assistant coach in 1985 and stayed with the organization for 40 years, first as a coach and then in the personnel department.
Minnesota co-owners Mark and Zygi Wilf released the following statement on the team’s website about Wiggin’s impact on the organization:
“We are tremendously saddened by the passing of longtime Minnesota Vikings coach, scout, and respected NFL figure Paul Wiggin.
Paul’s impact on the game of football spanned decades. His ability to never miss a game over an 11-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns earned him a spot on the Browns All-Time Team and an induction as a Cleveland Browns Legend. Following his playing days, he served as a head coach at both the collegiate and NFL levels before becoming the Vikings defensive line coach from 1985-1991. If his playing and coaching career wasn’t impressive enough, Paul went on to be one of just a few individuals tasked with building the Vikings personnel department from the ground up. He remained a member of the personnel staff for more than 30 years.
We had the honor of meeting Paul when we purchased the team in 2005, and it quickly became clear how much he loved the Minnesota Vikings. He captivated staff members and us with his stories about the history of the franchise and the NFL. He cared about players, coaches, and staff, and he wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for Vikings fans. But what Paul was most proud of was his family — his wife, Carolynn, his three daughters, and his growing number of grandchildren.
Our thoughts are with the Wiggin family and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Paul. His contributions to the Vikings legacy and to the game of football will long be...
