Born in Victoria, Paul was a well-rounded athlete who excelled in track and field and rugby. Paul attended the University of Oregon on a football scholarship before playing for the Calgary Bronks in 1939 and 1940 and the Calgary Stampeders from 1945 to 1950. As captain of the Stampeders, Paul led the team to Grey Cup triumph in 1948 and also brought the team to the Grey Cup final in 1949.
During his playing days, he earned CFL West All-Star accolades in 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947 and 1948 and also received the Dave Dryburgh Trophy for being the Western Conference leading scorer in 1939 and 1948.
Paul was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1964. He has also been inducted into the BC and Alberta Sports Hall of Fames and the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame. He passed away on August 28, 1990.