Paul Zukauskas

Paul Malcolm Zukauskas (born July 12, 1979) is a former American football player. He played college football at Boston College. He was drafted in the 7th round by the Cleveland Browns in 2001 NFL Draft and played for the Browns from 2001-2004.

Early life and charity work
Born Paul Malcolm Zukauskas, the son of Anne Marie and Thomas Zukauskas on July 12, 1979. He earned all-state and all-conference honors as a senior tackle at Boston College. He earned All-America honors from Prep Star and USA Today. He made 40 tackles as a senior and served as team captain. He played in the 1997 Massachusetts Shriners Football Classic.

During his time in the NFL he donated his time to various non-profit organizations, including building a home for Habitat For Humanity, building a playground for the United Way’s Hometown Huddle program, visiting children at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and distributing turkeys to Cleveland residents during the holidays.

After the death of his Mother, Anne Marie, in 2003 his father Tom, brother Tom Jr. and Paul started a charity, The Anne Marie Zukauskas Fund. This fund helps provide scholarships for teenage mothers to continue their education. This fund also assists Broad Meadows Middle School, the former school that Anne Marie was Principal of, with special projects.

Paul also serves on the Board of Directors for Project DEEP. Project DEEP is a nonprofit educational program, which operates through collaborations with Boston Centers for Youth & Families and Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and charitable institutions like The Boston Foundation. The mission of the program is to foster the educational, athletic and social growth and development of middle school children of all races, creeds and ethnic backgrounds throughout the Dorchester community.

College career
Three-year starter who became the first freshman in over 20 years to start on the offensive line. As a junior, he was named All-Big East Conference second-team selection. As a senior, he was named All-Big East Conference first-team selection and first-team All-America selection. He was a member of The Sporting News’ All-Underrated team. Credited with 49 key blocks in helping the offense gain 4,527 yards, the sixth-best total in school history. He appeared in seven games as a true freshman. He earned his only start vs. Virginia Tech, lining up at right tackle.

2006
He retired in March 2006.

2005
He signed with the San Francisco 49ers and injured his back during the second week of training camp. He then was released at the end of camp. He did not play the rest of season due to injury.

2004
He appeared in 14 games and 5 of the games were starts at left guard. He started the season as the starting left guard. He was injured in Week 2 vs. the Dallas Cowboys and took on a backup role after week 5 Pittsburgh Steelers. He played considerable time later in the season vs. New York Jets and vs. the Houston Texans.

2003
He was in 12 games, 10 of the games were starts at right guard. In the beginning of the season he was the backup right guard to starter Shaun O'Hara. He moved into the starting lineup beginning Week 4 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 28, as Zukauskas started at RG and O’Hara moved over to left guard. Then he started eight consecutive weeks at right guard before missing two weeks due to the death of his mother, Anne Marie. Moved back into the starting lineup at right guard vs. the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14, and vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 21. Inactive the final week of the season due to a knee injury.

2002
In his second year he participated in all 16 regular season games as the Browns backup right offensive guard and also played on special teams. Made three starting assignments at right guard early in the season as starting center Dave Wohlabaugh broke his hand and the starting right guard, Shaun O'Hara moved to center. He made his first career start vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 15. He appeared on special teams and also lined up as tackle eligible in goal line running situations in the AFC Wild Card Game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 5.

2001
As a rookie with Browns, he was on the practice squad for the first 9 weeks. He was then signed to the active roster on November 21, and appeared in one game. Made his NFL debut by playing on special teams against the Tennessee Titans on December 30.

Coaching Career
In April 2009, he was hired as a Defensive Graduate Assistant at Boston College. During his 2 year tenure at Boston College, he was a part of defense that was ranked first in the NCCA in rush defense and thirteenth overall in total defense.

In April 2011, he was hired to serve as the Head Coach of Lawrence Academy.

Lawsuit against the NFL
In December of 2011, Zukauskas announced that he and a group of 11 other professional players had filed a lawsuit against the NFL. Zukauskas and his attorneys allege that the League failed to properly treat head injuries in spite of prevailing medical evidence, leading the players to develop effects of brain injury ranging from chronic headaches to depression.