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Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause feels confident that his NFL career interceptions record will never be broken, and he has a pretty simple theory as to why. “They’re making so much money, they don’t have to play 16 years like I played,” Krause tells Athlon Sports. “They’re making so much money, they can stash away enough money in three or four years that they don’t have to play anymore.
” That’s one way to look at it, but the fact of the matter is that Krause was a ballhawk who put up interception numbers that are simply out of reach. A second-round pick by Washington in 1964, Krause led the league with 12 interceptions as a rookie and never looked back. He had at least six interceptions in a season eight times and retired after the 1979 season with 81 picks.
Tony Tomsic/USA TODAY Sports Krause had three interceptions in 1979 — at age 37 — to break the all-time record of 79 that had been held by Emlen Tunnell since 1960. Coincidentally, Krause and Tunnell both played collegiately at the University of Iowa. The only player that’s come close to Krause’s record total was Rod Woodson, who played 17 seasons and retired in 2003 with 71 interceptions.
The NFL’s active interception leaders are veterans Tyrann Mathieu and Harrison Smith, both of whom have played in the league for more than a decade and have 35 picks, less than half of Krause’s total. Krause amassed 28 interceptions in his four seasons with Washington. He was traded to the Vikings before the 1968 season and immediately became a key member of the team’s “Purple People Eaters” defense.
Krause is one of 11 players that were on the roster for all four of Minnesota’s Super Bowl appearances between 1969 and 1976. “Bud Grant just told me, ‘Don’t get beat deep,’” says Krause, referring to the Vikings’ defensive-minded Hall of Fame coach. “That’s all he said, and it worked out.
” Krause was a true free safety. He credits Minnesota’s simple defensive scheme as one of the reasons he was able to intercept so many passes. “I don’t think any of them are using one free safety and another strong safety,” Krause says of today’s defenses.
“That’s what we did, and I have no idea why they still don’t do it. It screws up their play, because sometimes they forget they’re the free safety, sometimes they forget they’re the strong safety.” Krause certainly benefitted from playing with Hall of Fame linemen who terrorized opposing quarterbacks and often forced them to make ill-advised passes that Krause was in position to pick off.
Vikings linemen Alan Page and Carl Eller are immortalized in Canton. Jim Marshall is on the short list of Seniors candidates being considered for the Hall’s Class of 2025. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images “I hope Jim Marshall goes in this year,” says Krause.
“You just can’t replace those guys. It was fun playing behind them.” Krause fondly recalled that Marshall often told people that if he didn’t get to the quarterback before the ball was thrown, he’d turn around and holler, “Krause! It’s coming your way!” Now 82, Krause lives about 20 minutes outside of Minneapolis and is still a fixture at Vikings home games, visiting regularly with season-ticket holders.
“The fans are great,” he says. “They all want to win.” And while the Vikings haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since Krause and his teammates fell to the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, he likes what he sees from the 2024 squad.
He’s particularly been pleased with quarterback Sam Darnold, who only got the starting job after a knee injury ended first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy’s season before it ever started.
“The quarterback, he’s doing doggone well right now,” says Krause. “He’s had some tough times, but he’s doing a good job.”Not much was expected of Darnold and the Vikings when the season began, but then they jumped out to a 5-0 start.
After two consecutive losses, Minnesota bounced back in Week 9 with a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts to improve to 6-2. The only reason the Vikings aren’t in first place in the NFC North is a last-minute Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. They’re one game behind the Lions, who they’ll meet again in the regular-season finale.
Minnesota has been on the brink of reaching the Super Bowl on several occasions since Krause and his teammates last got there in 1976. The team has played in six NFC championship games since then, falling short in all six — including two in overtime. “If they keep healthy, they can win it,” says Krause.
“I’m cheering for them,” NFL All-Time Interception Leaders Paul Krause 81 Emlen Tunnell 79 Rod Woodson 71 Dick “Night Train” Lane 68 Ken Riley 67 Charles Woodson 65 Ed Reed 64 Ronnie Lott 63 Darren Sharper 63 Dave Brown 62 Dick LeBeau 62 Related: Thurman Thomas: Don’t Believe in the ‘Super Bowl Hangover’ Related: Lions Look Like NFL’s Most Complete Team in Rainy Road Win Over Packers.
