Paul Blair (American football, born 1963)

Paul Kevin Blair (born March 8, 1963) is a Christian pastor and former American football player who played as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) from 1986 to 1990. Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, he attended Edmond Memorial High School and Oklahoma State University, before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 1986 NFL draft.[1][2] He played in 14 games in his rookie season for the defending Super Bowl champions, as the team went 14–2 and reached the playoffs for a third season in a row.[2] He played 11 more times the following season, including the only postseason appearance of his career against the Washington Redskins, but did not play in 1988 and left for the Denver Broncos in 1989;[2][3] however, he did not play that season either, and joined the Minnesota Vikings for the 1990 season. There he played in just two games[2] before a knee injury forced him to retire from professional football.[3]

Paul Blair
No. 68
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1963-03-08) March 8, 1963 (age 61)
Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Edmond Memorial (OK)
College:Oklahoma State
NFL draft:1986 / round: 4 / pick: 110
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:26
Games started:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

After his retirement, Blair followed in his father's footsteps and became a Christian pastor, but also remained involved in football as a broadcaster, announcing Oklahoma high school football games with former University of Oklahoma placekicker Tim Lashar, and also analyzing college football games for an Oklahoma City television station.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Paul Blair". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Williamson, Dana (September 13, 2007). "Former OSU lineman tackling pastorate". The Baptist Messenger. Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
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