Former Browns Legend and defensive end Paul Wiggin has passed away. He was 91 years old.
Wiggin spent the entirety of his NFL playing career with the Browns from 1957-67. He was first selected in the sixth round of the 1956 NFL Draft, 73rd overall. Over his 11-year playing career, he did not miss a game – playing in 146 straight games. Wiggin was also a two-time Pro Bowler in 1965 and 1967.
Wiggin was a key member of the Browns’ defensive line during the 1964 season when the Browns won the 1964 NFL Championship. Wiggin recorded a fumble recovery in the game as the Browns shut out the Colts 27-0. Wiggin ended the 1964 season with 8.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries – one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Wiggin finished his playing career with 127 starts in 146 games and recorded 60.5 sacks, 19 fumble recoveries, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He was inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends program as a member of the Class of 2008.
Following his playing career, Wiggin immediately began his coaching career with the San Francisco 49ers as the defensive line coach from 1968-73. He then became the defensive coordinator for the 49ers for the 1974 season. Wiggin was hired as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1975-77, then served as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 1978-79. Wiggin was then hired as the head coach of his alma mater at Stanford from 1980-83.
Wiggin spent four decades with the Vikings, beginning in 1985 as a defensive line coach under Hall of Famer head coach Bud Grant. Wiggin coached the Vikings linemen from 1985-91 under Grant and ring of honor head coach Jerry Burns. He oversaw a line that featured future Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman and All-Pro defensive tackle Keith Millard, who posted 21 and 18 sacks, respectively in 1989, earning Millard NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Wiggin also served a s personnel consultant, working in a department that is responsible for the evaluation of NFL players and advance scouting of opponents. In January 2023, he was awarded the 2022 Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
Wiggin was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 for this success in college. He played defensive tackle for Stanford from 1954-56 and was a two-time first team All-American and All-PAC-10. He played in the 1956 East-West Shrine Game and the 1957 Hula Bowl. For his success at Stanford, fans voted Stanford’s defensive player of the century.