Greg Paulus: Two Sport Athlete

The Story Of Greg Paulus: Two Sport Athlete

Greg Paulus didn't have to play a set of downs in college football to catch the eye of several NFL teams. Honestly, Paulus didn't need to. Greg Paulus is a natural-born fighter, and there was no surprise when the Green Bay Packers held a workout with Paulus and now former-Duke wide receiver Eron Riley in Durham last week.

As the Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year as a senior, Paulus led Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York, to a great record while playing there.

The great high school quarterback received offers to play for mighty Notre Dame and Miami as a senior, but decided to turn the offers down and rather play basketball for Coach K at Duke.

The first three seasons of playing point guard at Duke were very successful for Greg Paulus. As a freshman, he played on the same team as former-Duke greats J.J. Redick and Sheldon Williams.

Having the great players around him, Paulus was very productive in creating plays and passing to the sharp-shooters for assists. He also didn't feel the pressure that is normally placed on so many freshman nowadays. He was recruited to be a winner, fighter, and facilitator, and that is why he was so successful. 

The first season Paulus played at Duke, he led the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio. He was a pass first, shoot second player. He gained the respect of a college, a community, and a nation because of that fact, and helped lead Duke to the 2006 ACC Championship.

Once the great players departed, however, pressure was placed on Paulus to become a sharp-shooter. He slowly began developing a jump shot, and eventually gained a very dangerous three-point shot.

The pressure, however, was placed on him at a time when he was beginning to transition from a pass-first player to a shooter, an emotional point guard to a leader of a young team.

Over time, Paulus did mature, but the pressure that was placed on him never was fully released. Also, the hatred that most Duke players received, such as Redick, was now solely placed on Paulus' shoulders.

This took a toll on Paulus after time, and eventually wore down the once young and energetic leader. The expectations that Paulus received were now, to some people, not being met.

Paulus' senior year was supposed to be a time when his high expectations were going to be met. He would lead Duke to another successful year, and this time lead a Duke team he played on past the round of 16.

That opportunity, however, disappeared.

Nolan Smith, a very talented shooting guard who showed glimpses of greatest during his freshman year, came into training camp on a mission: earn the starting point guard spot. Coach K began to like what he saw in Smith, and thus told Paulus that Smith would overtake him as point guard during this past season.

At a time when a senior leader could have faltered after learning he would not start his senior year, he began to accept his new role, understanding that this would only help make his Duke team better. This fact alone proves that Greg Paulus is a natural winner.

After playing 16 minutes and scoring five points a game off the bench during the regular season, Paulus has made a name for himself at Duke. He will be always be remembered as a great leader and point guard, as well as a fighter to all Duke fans.

Now, Greg Paulus could be given a chance at the next level. But not for basketball. His quarterback skills in high school could be enough to get him into the NFL. Just this week, Greg Paulus worked out with the Green Bay Packers in Durham.

Paulus honestly deserves to make a name for himself. Just like most Duke fans, I believe that he has done a lot for the athletics department at Duke University, and that he should get a chance at the next level. If he is as courageous as he was in college, and plays with the same emotion and fight as he did at the point guard position, then Greg Paulus can be successful in the NFL, if given the chance.