In Loving Memory of Don Paul

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  • #11771
    GreatRamNTheSky
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    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=Don-Paul&pid=173136027

    Former LA Rams and UCLA Bruins great Don Paul passes away at age 89 of respitory failure.

    All-pro linebacker Don Paul who was signal called and captain on the Rams defense in 1951 that defeated the Cleveland Brown for the world championship. Don was the only freshman in UCLA history to be named a team captain. He served six years in the Navy during WWII and returned to continue is college career at UCLA where he played in the Rose Bowl. Don played 8 season for the Rams 1947 to 1955. He was part of a world championship team and 5 division champions with the Rams. A business man, Don ownd a resturaunt in the San Fernando Valley in Encino CA known as the Rams Horn which was a popular Rams hangout during the 1960s and 1970s. Don also did color commentary on Rams pre-season games with play by play man Gil Stratton. Here is to you Don, you were one of the greats.

    Grits

    #11773
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Thanks for posting that, Grits. My respects to the man.

    #11776
    Avatar photowv
    Participant

    Don Paul

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Paul_%28linebacker%29
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    http://www.profootballhof.com/history/2009/9/4/coach-wants-to-see-you/
    …“The Turk” is the NFL’s version of the Grim Reaper. He is the individual assigned by the team who is responsible for tracking down players and explaining to them that they are being released. “Coach wants to see you, and make sure you bring your playbooks” are the famous last words that no player wants to hear come from “The Turk.”

    In years past he was known as “Squeaky Shoes.” Players said they could hear his shoes squeaking down the halls of the dormitories during training camp as he made his way from room to room cutting players that didn’t make the final roster. It wasn’t until the 1950s in Los Angeles that the name “Turk” became synonymous with the man given the distasteful duty of releasing players.

    Don Paul, a former linebacker with the L.A. Rams from 1948-1955, reportedly came up with the name. His coach, Clark Shaughnessy, had a specific method of releasing players. He would send someone in the organization to wake the player in the middle of the night.

    That way the individual would be less apt to get angry since he would still be trying to wake up. The player would be told to grab all of his stuff because the coach wanted to see him.

    The player would then have an exit interview with the coach, turn in his playbook and be gone by breakfast. Shaughnessy’s method made everyone uncomfortable, which one can only assume was part of the reason he used this method. From rookies to seasoned veterans, nobody felt safe. Rams players often went to sleep and when they woke up their roommate was gone. No time to say goodbye, simply out of sight and out of mind. Don began proclaiming “The Turk strikes at night.” The story began floating around the league. Soon everyone was on alert to beware of “The Turk” who lurks in the halls of the teams’ facilities waiting to utter those dreaded words, “Coach wants to see you…and bring your playbook.”
    – See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/history/2009/9/4/coach-wants-to-see-you/#sthash.PkS2UFp3.dpuf
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