A beloved SMU alum superfan, Paul Layne, who attended 542 straight Mustangs Football games, passed away on Monday after battling the subsequent difficulties from a blood clot discovered about a month ago. He was 68 years old as of 2022.
A blood clot caused complications in his intestines. It meant he couldn’t attend SMU’s season-opening win against UNT on September 3. Even though Layne wasn’t there in person, his presence was felt.
Who was Paul Layne?
Layne was a real estate agent, a flight attendant, and certainly when it came to SMU football games. For 50 years he attended every game of SMU. He did so rain or shine. He did so as a student, both as a cheerleader and a reporter for The Daily Campus.
He even attended an SMU game when he had chickenpox, hiding its visible nature by dressing in a Halloween Costume. He did so when the Mustangs were good, and the years they weren’t. He did so when in Tokyo in 1993.
SMU Football tribute to their biggest fan, Paul Layne
SMU football tweeted: “SMU lost one of its biggest fans today, as SMU alum, former cheerleader, and superfan Paul Layne died following a brief illness. Paul’s Loyalty, support, and commitment to SMU and our program will never be forgotten.”
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“Please continue praying for the family as they prepare a service for Paul and for life without his physical presence. He will always be present in our memories.”
