Markus Paul memorial completed at Osceola High

A tribute started in 2021 with the branding of its football stadium after a legendary Osceola High School football player was completed Tuesday with the unveiling of the Markus Paul Memorial Trophy Case inside the school’s gymnasium.

A ceremony included school officials, athletes and the Paul family.

The Markus Paul Memorial Case includes several photographs of Paul, helmets representing the teams he played for in high school, college and the NFL; as well as helmets representing the teams he worked for during his 21 years as a strength and conditioning coach.

“This final part of the memorial took a little longer than planned, but there were several factors we wanted to make sure we got just right. The contents, the overall look of the display, its placement were all vitally important to us,” Osceola Athletics Director Rick Tribit said. “In addition to being a football star, Markus was a starter on the 1980 undefeated state championship team --so placing it inside the gym where it would be highly visible seemed to be the right destination.”

The school formally named its football facility Markus Paul Stadium on Oct. 15, 2021.

Paul was the starting quarterback for the Kowboys from 1982-83. As a junior, he led Osceola to the state 3A championship game, where they lost to Titusville. He was also a starter on the Kowboys’ 1982-83 Osceola basketball team that went 37-0 and did win the state championship, becoming one of the best teams in Florida high school basketball history.

Paul played college football at Syracuse, where he became an All-America defensive back and still holds the school’s career interception record. He was later named as a first-team member of the school’s All-Century team and inducted into Syracuse’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The Chicago Bears chose Paul in the 4th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.

“Although our current players were not even born when Markus played at Osceola, Syracuse and the NFL, it’s important that they know and respect our history because it was legends like Markus that paved the way,” Tribit added. “His entire playing and coaching career were dedicated to doing things the right way and to lift those around them to be better. Those values were important back then and they still are today.”

Upon  retiring as a player in 1993, Paul became an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the New Orleans Saints in 1998 and later served with the New England Patriots, New York Jets and New York Giants. In 2018 he was appointed head strength and conditioning coach of the Dallas Cowboys. In all, Paul earned a total of five Super Bowl rings –three with the New England Patriots and two with the New York Giants. Regardless of which team he was with, Paul was widely respected and liked by all coaches and players he touched.

Paul passed away suddenly on Nov. 25, 2020 at age 54 after suffering a heart attack at the Cowboys training facility. After learning of his death, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said “Markus earned the players’ respect and attention because he cared so much and was a naturally gifted communicator — both on the personal and professional levels. He handled every situation, sometimes with a smile and a pat on the back, and sometimes with tough love. He had an innate toughness in a job that requires that quality, and he was admired throughout the NFL by his peers and the players he coached. It was a privilege to work with him as a coach and laugh with him as a friend.”

At Tuesday’s unveiling, Paul’s family also said they were honored.

“Markus spent his entire life in a positive mode -- lifting the spirits of those around them and helping them become the best they could be. Although he reached the highest levels of college and professional football, he never forgot his roots,” his father Isaiah Paul said. “He loved Florida, he loved Kissimmee, he loved Osceola High School and he loved the Kowboy football family. The love the school has shown back to him is greatly appreciated.”

“Markus was not only an incredible athlete, but he also was an incredible man of great character, humility, and service,” Tribit said. “He meant so much to our school and our community, so it is only fitting that not only does our stadium bear his name, but this memorial display will be a constant reminder to what he stood for and what he meant to entire Osceola High community,” 

Paul’s mantra of lifting up and giving back to others extended well beyond his life. The Markus Paul Foundation provides annuals scholarship to an Osceola High School football player, a Syracuse walk-on athlete and provides an annual donation to the Boys & Girls Club in Kissimmee. Those wishing to learn more about the Markus Paul Foundation or want to donate to it, can do so at:  https://markuspaulfoundation.com/