Coming from a family that includes six older sisters and one younger brother, Paul said the nickname “Pooh” came from playing travel ball growing up. In one game, he caught an interception and returned it for a touchdown. Then his mom made matching jackets for her, Paul’s aunt and sisters, with the name “Pooh” painted in big, bold, blue letters on the back, along with his face. It had “I love you Pooh Paul” on the sleeves, “the number one best” on one part of the chest, and “number one player” on another part of it.
“And my mom had a 3-D cutout that she brought to every game,” Paul said. “Every time I scored or made a big tackle, she was up there screaming, ringing cowbells, and holding that 3-D picture over the gate.”