FRISCO, Texas — UPDATE (5:44 p.m.. Nov. 25): The Dallas Cowboys' strength-and-conditioning coach Markus Paul died Wednesday night. He was 54. His cause of death is unknown, according to the station, and quotes a statement from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saying Paul was a beloved member of staff. Current head coach Mike McCarthy hired Paul in January.
"He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout The Star," he said in a statement.
ORIGINAL:
Dallas Cowboys head strength-and-conditioning coach Markus Paul experienced what the team termed a "medical emergency" early Tuesday morning.
Paul, 54, was immediately treated by Cowboys medical personnel and taken to a local hospital by ambulance, according to a team release.
The Dallas Morning News reports that a Frisco police spokesperson said that paramedics responded to the team's practice facility at 7:30 a.m.and transported Paul to a nearby hospital by ambulance. About 9 a.m., the team announced that Tuesday’s practice was canceled. Media interviews for Dallas coach Mike McCarthy and a few players also were canceled.
The Cowboys are scheduled to play Washington on Thanksgiving Day.
The team said that Paul is in the process of undergoing further medical tests and additional information will be made available at the "appropriate time."
Sports Illustrated's Mark Fisher reported that emergency personnel were contacted by the team, but specifics were not known at the time.
Several social media reports indicated that Paul had died, but the team's release said he remains alive.
Paul was a defensive back at Syracuse from 1984-1988 and set a school record with 19 interceptions. He was named an All-American as a senior and was selected in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He spent five season in the NFL, mostly with the Chicago Bears.
During his five years in the league, Paul started 15 games, appearing in 71 total. He finished his playing career with seven interceptions, including a career high three in 1991.
Paul has been an NFL strength and conditioning coach with the New Orleans Saints (1998-99), New England Patriots (2000-04), New York Jets (2005-06), New York Giants (2007-18) and Dallas Cowboys (2018-20). Paul has won five Super Bowls as a coach, three with the Patriots and two with the Giants.
