Paul McGowan (American football)

Paul McGowan
Personal information
Born:	January 13, 1966 (age 58); Winter Park, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	Winter Park
College:	Florida State
Position:	Fullback / Linebacker
NFL draft:	1988 / round: 9 / pick: 237
Career history
	Minnesota Vikings (1988); Cleveland Browns (1989); Birmingham Fire (1991–1992); Orlando Predators (1993–1997);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	Butkus Award (1987); First-team All-Arena (1994); Second-team All-Arena (1997); First-team All-American (1987);
Career Arena League statistics
Tackles:
Tackles:	97
Sacks:	17
Rushing attempts:	139
Rushing yards:	555
Rushing TDs:	11
	Stats at ArenaFan.com

Paul J. McGowan (born January 13, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) in the ninth round of the 1988 NFL draft.

College career

McGowan played college football at Florida State University. As a senior in 1987 he was an All-American and won the Butkus Award given to the nation's best linebacker.^[2]

McGowan was selected with the 237th overall pick during the 1988 NFL draft.^[3] The Vikings cut McGowan during training camp.

In 1989, the Cleveland Browns signed McGowan, but he was released during the Browns preseason cuts.

McGowan played for the Birmingham Fire of the World Football League during the 1991 and 1992 seasons.^[4]

In 1993, McGowan played for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. McGowan was twice named to All-Arena Teams.^[5]

^ Donovan, John (December 4, 1987). "McGowan FSU Ringleader (All-America linebacker headlines stingy defense)". Pensacola News Journal. 6-foot-1, 224-pound senior out of Winter Park High School
^ Cameron Martin (December 6, 2012). "Award Said He Was Best; N.F.L. Was Silent". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
^ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
^ Jerry Greene (May 30, 1992). "Mcgowan Has Found New Home In World". www.orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
^ Jerry Greene (May 12, 1998). "Predators Announce Honors". www.orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 1, 2013.