Paul Nelson Dekker (February 24, 1931 – May 8, 2001) was an American and Canadian football player for the Michigan State Spartans and professionally for the Washington Redskins and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

[edit] College career

At Michigan State, Dekker was a starting end in his junior and senior years. The Spartans were runners-up for the 1951 National Championship in the Associated Press poll and National Champions in the undefeated 1952 season. He was selected by the Associated Press as a member of their All‑Western team. Dekker represented the Spartans in the annual East‑West Shrine contest, pulling in a game-record nine receptions for 100 yards. A member of the 1953 College All‑Stars and the 1953 Hula Bowl squad, he was selected in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

[edit] Professional career

Dekker remained with the Redskins for only one season. In 1954, he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. In nine seasons at Hamilton, Dekker played in the Grey Cup championship contest five times. He was elected to the All Eastern/All Western All‑Star team four times and tied a Grey Cup record for the longest completed pass with a 90‑yard touchdown reception in the Tiger‑Cats' 21‑14 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 1961 Grey Cup game. Dekker retired from professional football following the 1962 season.

[edit] Legacy

He is a member of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame and was selected as an honorary member of Hamilton's "Team of the Decade."

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