Paul Giel: Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Legend

Paul Giel carried the Minnesota Golden Gophers on his back during the early 1950s, using his elite running and passing skills to become a College Football Hall of Fame legend despite playing on underdog teams.

Football Bio

September 29, 1932- Paul Giel, who played halfback at the University of Minnesota from 1951 through the 1953 seasons, was born.

The National Football Foundation voted Paul Giel into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

The Minnesota teams that Giel played on were average at best, posting a losing record overall in the three seasons Paul was on the squad.

Paul Giel was a bright spot on the team, though; according to the NFF website, his career totals were 2,188 yards rushing, plus an additional 1,922 yards passing.

Paul Giel in a 1953 Minnesota Golden Gophers uniform

Giel started in the Golden Gophers’ single-wing offense at blocking quarterback but was eventually moved to left halfback, where his running and passing skills could be used.

One highlight of Paul’s collegiate career came in his senior season against the heavily favored Michigan Wolverines.

The Gophers pulled off a massive upset powered by Giel’s two rushing touchdowns and an additional score attributed to Paul’s arm, resulting in a 22-0 blanking of Michigan.

That season, Giel was voted AP Back of the Year, UP Player of the Year, and won Minnesota’s Big 10 Award for being the top athlete in academics.

He later served as the Athletic Director of the University of Minnesota from 1971 to 1989. [National Football Foundation]

Giel cemented his legacy not only through his versatile gridiron performances but also through his long-term leadership as Minnesota’s Athletic Director, leaving an undeniable mark on college football history.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Served as the Athletic Director for the University of Minnesota from 1971 to 1989.
• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
• Named a Consensus First-Team All-American in 1953.
• Earned First-Team All-American honors in 1952.
• Won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Big Ten MVP) in back-to-back seasons (1952, 1953).
• Named the UP College Football Player of the Year in 1953.
• Voted the AP Back of the Year in 1953.
• Finished as the Heisman Trophy Runner-Up to Johnny Lattner in 1953.
• Awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1954 for academic and athletic excellence.

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