Paul Peter Naumoff (July 3, 1945 – August 17, 2018[1]) was an American football player. He played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1964 to 1966 and was selected as a consensus first-team All-American at the linebacker position in 1966. He played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) as a linebacker for the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1978. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl after the 1970 season and was named the Lions' defensive most valuable player in 1975. He once played in 142 consecutive games for the Lions and missed only two games in 12 years with the club.
In 1966, Naumoff moved to linebacker after one of the team's starting linebackers, Tom Fisher, died in an automobile accident.[5] He helped lead the 1966 Tennessee team to an 8-3 record. He was awarded the game ball after the 1966 Gator Bowl. Naumoff made a "jolting tackle" of Larry Csonka late in the game to preserve Tennessee's 18-12 victory over Syracuse.[6]
Naumoff was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round, 60th overall pick, of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft. He played 12 years for the Lions from 1967 to 1978.[2] He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl after the 1970 season.[2] In 1975, Naumoff had two interceptions and was voted by his teammates as the Lions' defensive most valuable player.[8] Naumoff once played in 142 consecutive games for the Lions and missed only two games in 12 years with the club. In July 1979, at age 33, Naumoff announced his retirement as a player, citing a foot injury that had required two surgeries and posed the risk of permanent damage.[9] At the time of his retirement, Naumoff had appeared in 168 games for the Lions, more than any other players in franchise history other than Wayne Walker and Dick LeBeau.[9][10]
Later years
After retiring from the NFL, Naumoff opened a beer distributorship in Tennessee.[11]