Paul Hofer (born May 13, 1952) is a former professional American football player who played running back for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI winning team. Known for his hard and relentless running style, Hofer was a fan favorite despite being on poor 49ers teams in the mid to late 1970s. Hofer was a brutal, attacking runner who suffered serious knee injuries that ultimately shortened his career. Hofer saw limited duty during the 1981 season but was placed on injured reserve before season's end; he was unable to play in the playoffs or the Super Bowl. He retired soon thereafter.