Husky Legend: Paul Homer
October 07, 2017 | Football
By Kimberlie Haner
While making a name for himself in Husky Stadium, former Washington fullback Paul Homer suffered from multiple concussions during his career at UW. Now he is working to prevent them. His success at UW and his pursuit for excellence post-graduation make him a Husky Legend.
Homer grew up in Omaha, Neb., as the second of four boys. As the dream of playing college football became a possibility, he began sending tapes out to many different schools. His cousin's husband, an alumnus of Washington football in the late 90s, would eventually lead him to Seattle. He worked to get Homer's tape in the right hands, which eventually resulted in a scholarship to play for the Huskies.
On his visit to Seattle, Homer knew UW was the right place for him. He had conversations with his parents and they wanted what was best for him, even if it was across the country.
"When I came here, I went up the Space Needle and my face was stuck to the glass," Homer said. "I'd never seen much of the mountains and the so much water. I was mesmerized."
Not only did Washington have a strong history of athletics, but the academics were great as well. In his initial search for schools, he was looking at strong academic universities that could prepare him for medical school one day, not just colleges with a good football team.
"The support staff was really good, and still is," Homer said. "That was the big selling point. They would support me both as a student and an athlete."
Homer joined the football team in 2006 as a fullback, right in the midst of difficult times for the program. Washington did not finish a season with a winning record during Homer's four seasons as a Husky. Yet, Homer was able to put his time at Washington in perspective.
"Losing is never fun," Homer said. "It's actually just absolutely terrible. But you learn a lot about yourself and your character. The saving grace of those bad seasons was being with good people. It brought us closer."
New head coach Steve Sarkisian was hired in 2009 to bring the Huskies back to their winning ways. With him, he brought changes to what Homer and his teammates were accustomed to.
"It was an interesting transition," Homer said. "There were different dynamics through the whole staff. Each coaching staff has a different feel to them on what they're trying to change and what their goals are."
Despite finishing with a 4-5 record in his senior season, Homer thought it was a good growing period for the program, the team and himself. It ended up being his favorite season and spurred on the Huskies current streak of seven-consecutive winning seasons.
"Change can be really fun," Homer said. "It was tough being a senior, but we got some wins that year. I learned a ton from those guys because they brought a whole new perspective."
The best win of Homer's career at Washington came in his final season. After a 1-1 start to the year, No. 3 USC came to Seattle for a conference matchup. With 3 seconds remaining, Husky sophomore Erik Folk kicked a 22-yard field goal to upset one of the best teams in the nation, 16-13. It was Washington's first win against a ranked team since 2003.
"That was amazing," Homer said. "I thought we were going to win, but when it actually happened it felt good to have all of the hard work pay off. I went ballistic. The whole stadium rushing the field was awesome. I turned around and the entire stands were clearing onto the field."
When his four years wrapped up, Homer had a solid career to look back on. He played in every game in his career, one of his best coming in a 30-0 win over in-state rival Washington State when he caught four passes for 28 yards. As a freshman, he was only one of two true freshman to play and he won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman award for offense at the team banquet.
Academically, Homer thrived. It was important when he was picking a school and he did not take the support and opportunities at Washington for granted. In 2007, he was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team. He was honorable mention in 2008 and on the second team in 2009. Additionally, he won UW's 101 Club Academic Award.
Following graduation, Homer attended medical school in his home state at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is currently in the second year of his three-year residency at Seattle Children's Hospital, living near Seattle with his wife and daughter.
"I love this area," Homer said. "Seattle Children's has an amazing program. It's nice to be back and have family and friends close."
Following that, he wants to do his fellowship in sports medicine, focusing on sports-related injuries. His time playing football influenced his career path.
"I've had many concussions myself," Homer said. "When I was playing, I talked to the trainers about what was going on. It is such a growing field, something we still don't know a lot about. There is still a long ways to go as far as awareness."
Despite his history with concussions, he is a firm believer that no one should stop playing a sport out of fear. Football in particular teaches many life lessons.
"I never tell families to withhold their children from playing football," Homer said. "I wouldn't hold my own kid back. Football teaches you to work together with a bunch of different types of people you wouldn't work with previously. It teaches you mental toughness. It's an ultimate team sport."
Alongside his passion for sports, Homer's understanding of the necessity of academics has been a staple of his life. He knows how important it is to be both a student and an athlete, something he knows current Washington head coach Chris Petersen also values.
"He is one of the few coaches left who seems to value their life after football," Homer said. "They are students first and that should be what they're thinking of. They should become good men in society.
"If you want to be a student and play football, then Washington is the place to be."
While making a name for himself in Husky Stadium, former Washington fullback Paul Homer suffered from multiple concussions during his career at UW. Now he is working to prevent them. His success at UW and his pursuit for excellence post-graduation make him a Husky Legend.
Homer grew up in Omaha, Neb., as the second of four boys. As the dream of playing college football became a possibility, he began sending tapes out to many different schools. His cousin's husband, an alumnus of Washington football in the late 90s, would eventually lead him to Seattle. He worked to get Homer's tape in the right hands, which eventually resulted in a scholarship to play for the Huskies.
On his visit to Seattle, Homer knew UW was the right place for him. He had conversations with his parents and they wanted what was best for him, even if it was across the country.
"When I came here, I went up the Space Needle and my face was stuck to the glass," Homer said. "I'd never seen much of the mountains and the so much water. I was mesmerized."
Not only did Washington have a strong history of athletics, but the academics were great as well. In his initial search for schools, he was looking at strong academic universities that could prepare him for medical school one day, not just colleges with a good football team.
"The support staff was really good, and still is," Homer said. "That was the big selling point. They would support me both as a student and an athlete."
Homer joined the football team in 2006 as a fullback, right in the midst of difficult times for the program. Washington did not finish a season with a winning record during Homer's four seasons as a Husky. Yet, Homer was able to put his time at Washington in perspective.
"Losing is never fun," Homer said. "It's actually just absolutely terrible. But you learn a lot about yourself and your character. The saving grace of those bad seasons was being with good people. It brought us closer."
New head coach Steve Sarkisian was hired in 2009 to bring the Huskies back to their winning ways. With him, he brought changes to what Homer and his teammates were accustomed to.
"It was an interesting transition," Homer said. "There were different dynamics through the whole staff. Each coaching staff has a different feel to them on what they're trying to change and what their goals are."
Despite finishing with a 4-5 record in his senior season, Homer thought it was a good growing period for the program, the team and himself. It ended up being his favorite season and spurred on the Huskies current streak of seven-consecutive winning seasons.
"Change can be really fun," Homer said. "It was tough being a senior, but we got some wins that year. I learned a ton from those guys because they brought a whole new perspective."
The best win of Homer's career at Washington came in his final season. After a 1-1 start to the year, No. 3 USC came to Seattle for a conference matchup. With 3 seconds remaining, Husky sophomore Erik Folk kicked a 22-yard field goal to upset one of the best teams in the nation, 16-13. It was Washington's first win against a ranked team since 2003.
"That was amazing," Homer said. "I thought we were going to win, but when it actually happened it felt good to have all of the hard work pay off. I went ballistic. The whole stadium rushing the field was awesome. I turned around and the entire stands were clearing onto the field."
When his four years wrapped up, Homer had a solid career to look back on. He played in every game in his career, one of his best coming in a 30-0 win over in-state rival Washington State when he caught four passes for 28 yards. As a freshman, he was only one of two true freshman to play and he won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman award for offense at the team banquet.
Academically, Homer thrived. It was important when he was picking a school and he did not take the support and opportunities at Washington for granted. In 2007, he was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team. He was honorable mention in 2008 and on the second team in 2009. Additionally, he won UW's 101 Club Academic Award.
Following graduation, Homer attended medical school in his home state at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is currently in the second year of his three-year residency at Seattle Children's Hospital, living near Seattle with his wife and daughter.
"I love this area," Homer said. "Seattle Children's has an amazing program. It's nice to be back and have family and friends close."
Following that, he wants to do his fellowship in sports medicine, focusing on sports-related injuries. His time playing football influenced his career path.
"I've had many concussions myself," Homer said. "When I was playing, I talked to the trainers about what was going on. It is such a growing field, something we still don't know a lot about. There is still a long ways to go as far as awareness."
Despite his history with concussions, he is a firm believer that no one should stop playing a sport out of fear. Football in particular teaches many life lessons.
"I never tell families to withhold their children from playing football," Homer said. "I wouldn't hold my own kid back. Football teaches you to work together with a bunch of different types of people you wouldn't work with previously. It teaches you mental toughness. It's an ultimate team sport."
Alongside his passion for sports, Homer's understanding of the necessity of academics has been a staple of his life. He knows how important it is to be both a student and an athlete, something he knows current Washington head coach Chris Petersen also values.
"He is one of the few coaches left who seems to value their life after football," Homer said. "They are students first and that should be what they're thinking of. They should become good men in society.
"If you want to be a student and play football, then Washington is the place to be."
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