Paul Piurowski (born March 16, 1959) is a former American football linebacker in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Tampa Bay Bandits. He played college football at Florida State University.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | March 16, 1959 Sarasota, Florida, U.S. | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Saratosa (FL) | ||
| College: | Florida State | ||
| Position: | Linebacker | ||
| NFL draft: | 1981 / round: 8 / pick: 218 | ||
| Career history | |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
| Career USFL statistics | |||
| |||
Early years
editPiurowski attended Sarasota High School, where he practiced football and baseball. He was a starter at quarterback and strong safety.[1] He received All-state honors as a senior.
Piurowski accepted a football scholarship from Florida State University to play as a strong safety. As a freshman, he was moved to linebacker and was a reserve player.[2]
As a sophomore, he was named a starter at outside linebacker. Although he only played in 6 games because of a knee injury, he tallied 84 tackles (fourth on the team) and 2 forced fumbles.
As a junior, he registered 123 tackles (second on the team), 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), contributing to the team finishing with a perfect regular-season record (11-0).[3]
As a senior, he posted 122 tackles (second on the team), 2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He also had what is considered one of the greatest plays in school history in the 18-14 win against the number 3 ranked University of Nebraska. The number 16 ranked Seminoles battled back from a 14-3 deficit and scored 15 unanswered points. With 13 seconds left in the game, the Huskers drove to the Seminole's three-yard line and Piurowski (who had 18 tackles) sacked and forced a fumble from quarterback Jeff Quinn which was recovered by defensive tackle Gary Futch to secure the win.[4] He had his appendix removed the week after the game, which forced him to miss 3 games.[5]
He finished his college career with 340 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 2 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles. The school had a combined 39-8 record during his 4 seasons.
In 1989, he was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame.[6]
Professional career
editDallas Cowboys
editPiurowski was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (218th overall) of the 1981 NFL draft.[7] He was released on August 3.[8]
Miami Dolphins
editOn August 5, 1981, he was signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins.[9] He was cut on August 17.[10] He was re-signed in 1982 and released on June 1.
New York Jets
editOn June 2, 1982, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.[11] He was released after failing his physical examination on July 27.[12]
Tampa Bay Bandits (USFL)
editIn 1983, he signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League. He was a starter at inside linebacker, led the team in tackles and received Second-team All-League honors.[13][14] In 1984, he was limited with an arm injury. On August 29, 1985, he was acquired by the Jacksonville Bulls, but did not play in any game after the league folded.[15]
Personal life
editPiurowski is one of 10 children, 5 played for Sarasota High School. His son Caz and his younger brother John also played at Florida State University.[16]
References
edit- ^ "90 best local football players". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Where are they now Paul Piurowski". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Paul Piurowski Bio". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Vote - Top plays in FSU football history". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Seminoles' Piurowski Sidelined". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "FSU All-Time Rankings: No. 67 Paul Piurowski". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "1981 NFL Draft". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Monday's Sports Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Dolphins sign FSU's Piurowski; Bucs reduce roster". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Monday's Sports Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Wednesday's Sports Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Piurowski: Bandits' unknown soldier". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "The USFL All-League first and second teams: First Team..." Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Piurowskis stay loyal to Florida State". Retrieved March 23, 2019.