Paul had nearly three decades of NFL experience under his belt, including 14 years in the metropolitan football realm.

Markus Paul, an NFL strength and conditioning coach with ties to the New York area passed away on Wednesday at the age of 54. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Paul was serving as the strength and conditioning coach of the Dallas Cowboys at the time of his death. Dallas canceled practice on Wednesday after Paul was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a medical emergency. The team will observe a moment of silence prior to their Thursday afternoon game against Washington.

Paul was a two-time All-American safety at Syracuse before being chosen in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. After five years as a player with Chicago and Tampa Bay, Paul joined the New Orleans Saints as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, serving in that role for two years before joining the New England Patriots in the same capacity for five. Paul returned to New York as the director of physical development of the Jets before becoming their head strength and conditioning coach. He would then go on to spend 12 years as an assistant coach with the Giants, winning two Super Bowls with the team. Paul partook in five Super Bowl-winning efforts during his NFL service, including the last two with the Giants (2008, 2012). Paul had joined the Cowboys in the same role last season and was promoted back to the head role upon the arrival of Mike McCarthy.

Several of Paul’s former players paid tribute to their coach on social media upon learning of his passing.

Both the Giants and Jets penned statements commemorating his time with their respective organizations.

“All of us with the Giants, the Mara and Tisch families, and the entire organization, extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Markus Paul,” the Giants said. “Markus was a beloved member of our organization for several years. Our prayers of comfort and peace are with his family, the Dallas Cowboys, and his many friends across the NFL and beyond. He will be greatly missed.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Markus Paul, who spent two years with us in 2005-06,” the Jets added in their statement. “He was a kind man who made a lasting impact on those fortunate to have crossed his path.”

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags