Paul Salata
- Category : 1926-births
- Type : GP
- Profile : 4/6 - Opportunistic / Role Model
- Definition : Single
- Incarnation Cross : RAX Maya 3
Biography
American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and Canadian Football League (CFL). After his college football days at USC, Salata played for the AAFC/NFL's San Francisco 49ers (1949–1950) and the AAFC's Baltimore Colts (1950). He also played three final seasons in Canada; with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders (1952), where he was an all-star, and with the Ottawa Rough Riders (1953).
In later years, Salata became known for creating the Mr. Irrelevant Award in the NFL Draft, awarded annually to the last overall pick in the year's draft. After retiring from football, he joined his family's Southern California construction business. He has also acted in a number of Hollywood movies. He played Tony Minelli in Angels in the Outfield (1951) and appeared, uncredited, in the 1953 film Stalag 17 as a prisoner.
Salata died in Newport Beach, California on 16 October 2021, one day before his 95th birthday.