Paul Robert Giel (February 29, 1932 – May 22, 2002)[1] was an American college football and professional baseball player from Winona, Minnesota.

Giel received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player twice, in 1952 and 1953, was named an All-American twice.

In the final game of the 1953 football season, Giel was clipped (tackled from behind while near the ball-carrier) on a kick return.

This illegal action by an opposing player led to a fifteen-yard penalty and a broken ankle that for many confirmed the belief that Giel was too slight to have a professional football career.

[1] Instead of professional football, after his collegiate days Giel pitched in the major leagues for the New York / San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, and Kansas City Athletics.