Paul Krause

Krause at Bendle High School in Burton

Football star Krause at Bendle High School in Burton

Paul's Bendle High School Senior picture

Paul Krause  (February 19, 1942 to present)

​Arguably the greatest athlete in the history of Flint and Genesee County, particularly when considered against his body of work.  A Bendle High School graduate, Krause completed a legendary career in baseball, football, basketball and track, where he acquired an eye popping 14 letters.  His accomplishments in high school include: 

• Set the Genesee County single game scoring record in basketball with 54 points.
• Broke the Bendle school records for points in football, pole vaulting, and the high jump.
• Was the only league sophomore to every make All County in basketball.
• Recognized with All State and All American status in football, baseball, and track

After high school he went on to Paul went on to excel in both baseball and football at the University of Iowa. As a sophomore, he earned All-American honors in baseball and was drafted into the major leagues, turning down the offer to focus on football. Krause became a two-way star at Iowa as a wide receiver and defensive halfback. As a senior, he was selected for the East-West Shrine game, the Coaches' All-American game and the College All-Star game, and became the No. 2 pick in the 1964 NFL draft. Drafted by the Washington Redskins, the durable Krause went on to play 223 games in sixteen pro seasons, missing only two games due to injuries.

In his rookie season, he led the NFL in interceptions, and made NFL All Pro. After being traded to the Minnesota Vikings, he started an unprecedented Super Bowl run as part of the vaunted Puple People Eaters Viking defense. The Vikes never pulled off a victory but Krause was the starting free safety in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI distinguishing himself in each game against some of the best teams in NFL history. 

Along the way Krause managed to set the all time record for interceptions in the NFL, a supreme achievement to be sure, made even more incredible when one considers that the NFL was a run based system during his tenure. Krause received the ultimate tribute when he was elected the NFL Hall of Fame in 1988, the only Flint athlete to be so acknowledged by a major sport. 

When Paul was asked in an interview to name his biggest thrill he immediately reflected back on the neighborhood buddies that he grew up with in Flint. "l never lost touch with those guys. Growing up, we were poor and didn't know it. We were all sports junkies with the dreams of being the next star. As a pro, I realized I had made it, playing with the best in the world, and I was just an extension of my old friends back in Flint."