Paul Raymond "Shorty" Des Jardien (August 24, 1893 – March 7, 1956) was an American football, baseball and basketball player.

He played for the University of Chicago where he was selected as the first-team All-American center in both 1913 and 1914 and also pitched a no-hitter for the baseball team.

[1] He earned 12 varsity letters, played on Western Conference championship teams in both football and baseball, and became known as one of the best all-around athletes ever produced by the University of Chicago.

[2] While attending the University of Chicago, Des Jardien was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighed 190 pounds; his teammates called him "Shorty.

The University of Chicago Magazine wrote: "Des Jardien at third base fields well, and adds strength by his spirit.

[2][5] Des Jardien gained his greatest fame playing at the center position for Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons football teams from 1912 to 1914.

[14] In 1914, Walter Camp wrote about Des Jardien, calling him "[...] the best center in the country — steady, reliable, absolutely dependable for his share of line work on attack, and a power on defense.

According to the report, Des Jardien declined to sign a contract with the Cubs to avoid endangering his amateur status.

[17] Des Jardien served as an assistant coach for the University of Chicago's basketball, baseball and track teams upon returning from Japan in January 1916.

The Indians lost two games to Jim Thorpe's Canton Bulldogs, played the Massillon Tigers to a scoreless tie, and closed the season with three wins against the Columbus Panhandles, Detroit Heralds and Toledo Maroons.

[28][29] Des Jardien also reportedly played professional football for the Canton Bulldogs and Fort Wayne Friars.

Parduhn, president of the Hammond football team, was arrested on a charge of issuing bogus checks, after a complaint was lodged by Des Jardien and Milt Ghee.

[33] After the end of the football season that month, Des Jardien signed to play professional basketball with the Red Crowns team from Whiting, Indiana.