Gary Fencik

Last updated

Gary Fencik
No. 45
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1954-06-11) June 11, 1954 (age 69)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Barrington
(Barrington, Illinois)
College: Yale
NFL Draft: 1976  / Round: 10 / Pick: 281
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:1,102
Interceptions:38
Interception yards:488
Fumble recoveries:13
Sacks:2
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

John Gary Fencik (born June 11, 1954) is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Yale Bulldogs and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the tenth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He was a once first-team All-Pro and twice Pro Bowl selection. Fencik is the Bears all-time leader in interceptions [1] and total tackles. He was also part of the 1985 Bears team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in the Super Bowl XX.

Contents

Playing career

He played college football at Yale University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1976. In 1985, he received an MBA from Northwestern University. John Madden once said in a broadcast that "Gary Fencik played football at Yale; that is like saying clean dirt". At Yale, Fencik played wide receiver, catching 86 passes for 1,435 yards and 7 touchdowns from 1973 to 1975. In his senior season, Fencik caught 42 passes and led the Ivy League with 729 receiving yards. [2]

Considered too slow to be an NFL receiver, the Miami Dolphins drafted Fencik in the tenth round of the 1976 NFL Draft with the 281st overall selection, intending to convert him to defensive back. After rupturing his left lung in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, he was released in September and headed home to Chicago, planning to start a banking career until he received a job offer from the Chicago Bears. [3]

In Chicago, he was the team's defensive captain through the 1980s including the 1985 Super Bowl championship season. [4] He made two Pro Bowl appearances (1980, 1981). He was also awarded a gold record and a platinum video award for the 1985 Super Bowl Shuffle . Fencik and Doug Plank were dubbed "The Hit Men", a fact referenced by Fencik in The Super Bowl Shuffle. [5]

In September 1986 he was featured on the cover of GQ magazine. His picture also appeared on the reverse side of a Playboy centerfold, showing him and the December 1982 Playmate Charlotte Kemp, shopping at the Old Town Art Fair. [6]

Fencik finished his career with 38 interceptions, which he returned for 488 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded 2 sacks and recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 65 yards.

Retirement

Following his football career, Fencik has worked in the finance industry. Fencik worked with Wells Fargo and UBS before joining Adams Street Partners in 1995. [7] He has also worked as a sports commentator, mainly on WGN radio where he was a color commentator on Bears radio broadcasts from 1990 to 1993. During the 1988 NFL season he paired with James Brown as an NFL television commentator on CBS.

Personal life

Fencik and his wife Sandy have two children, Garrison and Evan. He is of Polish descent. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XX</span> 1986 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XX was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Chicago Bears and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1985 season. The Bears defeated the Patriots by the score of 46–10, capturing their first NFL championship since 1963, three years prior to the birth of the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XX was played on January 26, 1986, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XIX</span> 1985 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIX was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1984 season. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins by the score of 38–16, to win their second Super Bowl. The game was played on January 20, 1985, at Stanford Stadium, on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California, the first Super Bowl played in the San Francisco Bay Area. This also became the second Super Bowl after Super Bowl XIV where the game was coincidentally played in the home market of one of the participants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXIII</span> 1989 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Cincinnati Bengals and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1988 season. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20–16, winning their third Super Bowl. The game was played on January 22, 1989, at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. This was the first Super Bowl hosted in the Miami area in 10 years, and the first in Miami not held at the Orange Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Ditka</span> American football player, coach, and television commentator (born 1939)

Michael Keller Ditka is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator. During his playing career, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a six-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL); he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Jaworski</span> American football player and analyst (born 1951)

Ronald Vincent Jaworski, nicknamed "Jaws", is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1973 to 1989 during which he played for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs. As quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981, Jaworski led the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Dent</span> American football player and coach (born 1960)

Richard Lamar Dent is an American former football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Chicago Bears. He was the MVP of the Super Bowl XX. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Griese</span> American football player and coach (born 1975)

Brian David Griese is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played high school football at Christopher Columbus High School and later college football at Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marty Booker</span> American football player (born 1976)

Marty Montez Booker is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for Louisiana-Monroe, he was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. During his first tenure with the Bears, he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2002. He also played for the Miami Dolphins from 2004 to 2007, Bears in 2008, and Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Byars</span> American football player (born 1963)

Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former professional football player. He was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984–85 NFL playoffs</span> Seasonal NFL playoffs

The National Football League playoffs for the 1984 season began on December 22, 1984. The postseason tournament concluded with the San Francisco 49ers defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX, 38–16, on January 20, 1985, at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.

Michael John Tomczak is a former American football player. Tomczak played quarterback for several National Football League (NFL) teams from 1985 through 1999, including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League (AFL) until 2014 when they ceased operations. Tomczak is considered to be the most successful NFL quarterback to play most of his college career at Ohio State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otis Wilson</span> American football player (born 1957)

Otis Ray Wilson is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Raiders. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears. He is also the father of former Cincinnati Bengals running back Quincy Wilson. He is married to Tina Glover Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Fuller (American football)</span> American football player (born 1957)

Stephen Ray Fuller is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he was twice named ACC Player of the Year, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. Fuller played his first four seasons with the Chiefs and was a member of the Los Angeles Rams during his fifth season. He joined the Chicago Bears in 1984, where he spent four seasons as a backup and was a member of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XX. In his final season, Fuller was a member of the San Diego Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Clark (American football)</span> American football player (born 1962)

Gary C. Clark is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins (1985–92), Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1993–94), and Miami Dolphins (1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Chicago Bears season</span> NFL team season (won Super Bowl)

The 1985 season was the Chicago Bears' 66th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Mike Ditka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1972 Miami Dolphins season</span> 7th season in franchise history; first Super Bowl win and only perfect season in NFL history

The 1972 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's seventh season and third in the National Football League (NFL). The team was led by third-year head coach Don Shula and achieved the only perfect season in NFL history. They also led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Porter</span> American football player (born 1986)

Tracy O'Neil Porter is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Porter is best known for being a crucial player during the 2009 New Orleans Saints season, in which he intercepted Brett Favre in the NFC Championship Game and then won Super Bowl XLIV, sealing the game by famously intercepting Peyton Manning and returning it for a touchdown. He played college football at Indiana.

The 1983 Miami Dolphins season was the 18th season in football for the Miami Dolphins and they sought to return to the Super Bowl after losing to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII. It was also a turning point in the team's history, as in the 1983 NFL Draft a young quarterback slipped to deep in the opening round, being passed over by such teams as division rivals New York who drafted Ken O'Brien and New England who drafted Tony Eason. With the 27th pick, the Dolphins decided to take a chance on Dan Marino. In the draft's eighth round the Dolphins also selected receiver Mark Clayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Miami Dolphins season</span> 19th season in franchise history; third Super Bowl loss

The 1984 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 19th season, and 15th in the National Football League (NFL). It was also the 15th season with the team for head coach Don Shula. The Dolphins sought to build on a spectacular 1983 season where they went 12–4 with rookie quarterback Dan Marino.

Robert James Weathers is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State. His brother, Clarence Weathers, also played in the NFL.

References

  1. ↑ Mayer, Larry. "Tillman repeats stellar performance". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Gary Fencik College Stats".
  3. ↑ Rosaforte, Tim (December 2, 1985). "Once a Dolphin, Fencik succeeds as Bears safety". Sun-Sentinel . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl". Los Angeles Times. January 27, 1986. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ Stiernberg, Bonnie; Ryan, Shane (January 30, 2015). "The Super Bowl Shuffle: A GIF-Heavy Ranking of Every Verse". Paste . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  6. ↑ Telander, Rick (September 30, 1985). "Pride of the Yuppies". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Executive Committee". ADAMS STREET PARTNERS. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ Ronkowski, Steve (March 5, 2012). "Pulaski Day Special: All-Time, All-Polish Bears Team". Windy City Gridiron.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.