Paul Krause Accumulated 81 Interceptions Over Storied Career
Published on September 13th, 2024 10:45 am ESTWritten By: Dave Manuel
Paul Krause holds the all-time interception record in the NFL, and there is a great chance that this record is never broken. Krause, who played at Iowa in college, was a second-round pick in the 1964 NFL Draft. Over his storied career, Krause played for four seasons with the Washington Redskins and twelve years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Krause was very tall for a safety (6'3) and was tremendously quick. His big frame allowed him to pick off many errant throws.
Over the course of his career, Krause put up a total of 81 interceptions, which is the all-time record.
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In his rookie season with the Redskins, Krause posted 12 interceptions. Krause finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, and was also named a first-team All-Pro.
Over the course of his storied career, Krause would never exceed 12 interceptions in a season again. His best year after 1964 would come in 1975, when he intercepted 10 passes.
Krause, however, was remarkably consistent, posting interception totals of at least 6+ eight times over the course of his career.
In his final season with Minnesota in 1979, Krause still managed to post three interceptions, even at the age of 37.
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Krause's record will likely never be broken because the game is played in a different way now.
Quarterbacks and their offensive schemes will purposely avoid the great cover guys, denying the best defensive players in the game the opportunity to intercept footballs. The best cover guys and safeties in the league will simply not have the same opportunities to intercept footballs.
As of this moment, Patrick Peterson has the most interceptions as an active player with a total of 36.
Peterson has had a storied career, and he doesn't have even half of the interceptions that Krause has.
Unless the game of football changes and quarterbacks start throwing at the best cover guys, there is almost no chance that Krause's record is ever broken.
