The Vikings mourn the passing of Paul Wiggin.
Today is a sad day for the Minnesota Vikings organization. Long time Vikings assistant coach and executive Paul Wiggin has passed away at age 91. The former All-American who played with Jim Brown and Jim Marshall and was a driving force in the career of Vikings legend John Randle will be missed in the Vikings community.
Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf shared their thoughts about Wiggin's passing.
"We are tremendously saddened by the passing of longtime Minnesota Vikings coach, scout and respected NFL figure Paul Wiggin.
Paul's impact on the game of football spanned decades. His ability to never miss a game over an 11-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns earned him a spot on the Browns All-Time Team and an induction as a Cleveland Browns Legend. Following his playing days, he served as a head coach at both the collegiate and NFL level before becoming the Vikings defensive line coach from 1985-1991. If his playing and coaching career wasn't impressive enough, Paul went on to be one of just a few individuals tasked with building the Vikings personnel department from the ground up. He remained a member of the personnel staff for more than 30 years.
We had the honor of meeting Paul when we purchased the team in 2005, and it quickly became clear how much he loved the Minnesota Vikings. He captivated staff members and us with his stories about the history of the franchise and the NFL. He cared about players, coaches and staff, and he wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for Vikings fans. But what Paul was most proud of was his family — his wife, Carolynn, his three daughters and his growing number of grandchildren.
Our thoughts are with the Wiggin family and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Paul. His contributions to the Vikings legacy and to the game of football will long be remembered."
John Randle spoke about Wiggin and his impact on his career.
"Paul was the original guru. He had a quiet way of imparting his knowledge and wisdom in a way that changed the game," Randle said. "He never raised his voice or spoke in harsh words. His humble leadership pushed you to be a better player and a better man. Paul taught me that you only grow when you get uncomfortable. Many of his lessons applied to both on and off the field. In many ways, I am who I am today because of Paul Wiggin."
Wiggin will be forever remembered as a Minnesota Viking and today is a sad day for the organization.