Gary Fencik

Last updated

Gary Fencik
No. 45
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1954-06-11) June 11, 1954 (age 70)
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
Stats at Pro Football Reference

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 1986, 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] The story promoted Fencik as "the NFL's smartest player." [7]

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.

During his playing career, he became the part-owner of the Hunt Club, a popular bar on Chicago's North Side. [7]

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. [8] 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.

During Fencik's final NFL season, he was widely speculated as a potential candidate in the then-upcoming 1987 Chicago mayoral election. [9] Donald L. Totten (the chairman of the Cook County Republican Party) attempted to persuade Fencik to run as a Republican. [10] When asked in September 1986 to describe his political ideology, Fencik remarked, "maybe an independent Republican." [7] In a 2022 radio interview, Fencik said while he believes he would be able to impact positive change if he were to become mayor of Chicago, he currently held no intention of seeking that office. [11]

In October 2012, the Illinois Lottery Board unanimously voted to name Fencik as its chairman. [12]

Personal life

Fencik and his wife Sandy have two children, Garrison and Evan. He is of Polish descent. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Bears</span> National Football League franchise in Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NFL Championships, eight prior to the AFL–NFL merger and one Super Bowl. They also hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears' NFL championships and overall victories are second behind the Green Bay Packers, with whom they have a long-standing rivalry.

<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">William Perry (American football)</span> American football player (born 1962)

William Anthony Perry is an American former football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "the Refrigerator", he played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he was named ACC Player of the Year, and was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft. Perry gained popularity during his rookie season as a member of the 1985 Bears team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XX. During the season, Perry occasionally played fullback in goal line situations and set the then-record for the heaviest player to score a touchdown at 335 lb (152 kg). He remains the heaviest player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl and has the largest Super Bowl ring at size 23 or more.

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

Michael Keller Ditka is an American former professional 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. Ditka was the first tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards receiving.

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

Richard Lamar Dent is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end 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.

Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason IV is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Taken 15th overall by the Patriots in the 1983 NFL draft, he was one of the six quarterbacks selected during the first round. Eason served as New England's primary starter from 1984 to 1986, where he helped the team make their Super Bowl debut in Super Bowl XX. Competing as the starter with Steve Grogan throughout his Patriots tenure, Eason was released during the 1989 season. He spent his final two seasons as a backup with the New York Jets.

Michael John Tomczak is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in National Football League (NFL) from 1985 through 1999. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Thayer</span> American football player and announcer (born 1961)

Thomas Allen Thayer is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL). He played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins, and won a Super Bowl as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears. Prior to his NFL career, Thayer played in the USFL for the Chicago Blitz, Arizona Wranglers and the Arizona Outlaws from 1983 to 1985. He is currently the color commentator on WMVP for Chicago Bears broadcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Frazier</span> American football player and coach (born 1959)

Leslie Antonio Frazier is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. He played professional football as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL), winning a Super Bowl in the 1985 season.

<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.

Richard Alvin Petitbon is an American former football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). Petitbon first attended Loyola University New Orleans on a track and field scholarship and left after his freshman year to play college football for the Tulane Green Wave. After playing as a quarterback at Tulane, he played as a safety for the Chicago Bears from 1959 to 1968, the Los Angeles Rams in 1969 and 1970, and the Washington Redskins in 1971 and 1972. Petitbon recorded the second most interceptions in Bears history with 37 during his career, trailing Gary Fencik. Petitbon also holds the Bears' record for the longest interception return, after scoring on a 101-yard return against the Rams in 1962. As of 2019, he also holds the Bears record for the most interceptions in a game—3 against the Green Bay Packers in 1967—and most interception return yards in a season.

<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).

Michael Calvin Richardson, also known as "L.A. Mike", is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1980s. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was a starter for the 1985 Super Bowl XX winning Chicago Bears.

Bryant Keith Ortego was an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX following the 1985 NFL season. He was also a member of the "Shuffling Crew" in the video The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Shaun Lanard Gayle is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He played twelve seasons, eleven for the Chicago Bears (1984–1994), and one for the San Diego Chargers (1995). He attended Ohio State University and was drafted by the Bears in the tenth round of the 1984 NFL Draft. He was a member of the Bears squad that won Super Bowl XX in 1985. He was also a member of the "Shuffling Crew" in the video The Super Bowl Shuffle.

<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.

Kenneth Wayne Hill is a former National Football League (NFL) player whose career lasted ten seasons, from 1980 until 1989. Hill played for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs and earned three Super Bowl rings, the first two with the 1980 and 1983 Raiders, the third with the 1986 New York Giants. Hill is the first and only Ivy League football athlete to have played on three Super Bowl championship teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 New England Patriots season</span> Season of National Football League team the New England Patriots; first Super Bowl appearance

The 1985 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 16th season in the National Football League (NFL) and 26th overall. The Patriots had a record of eleven wins and five losses and finished third in the AFC East Division. They then became the first team in NFL history ever to advance to the Super Bowl by winning three playoff games on the road, defeating the New York Jets 26–14 in the AFC Wild Card Game, the Los Angeles Raiders 27–20 in the AFC Divisional Game and the Miami Dolphins 31–14 in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots' win in Miami was their first victory at the Miami Orange Bowl since 1966. The win over the Dolphins in the game has gone down as one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, as the Dolphins were heavily favored.

Robert James Weathers is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 1982 NFL draft. 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. 1 2 3 "GOP Leaders Want Fencik for Mayor" . Quad-City Times. Associated Press. September 17, 1986. Retrieved November 25, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Executive Committee". ADAMS STREET PARTNERS. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Political Office Probably Too Small for Fencik". Chicago Tribune. September 21, 1986. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. ↑ "John Lattner, A Promising Politcal Rookie". Chicago Tribune. October 19, 1986. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. ↑ Kass, John (November 19, 2022). "The Chicago Way: Gary Fencik Ran with the Bulls in Spain, and Ran with the Bears on the Lakefront, Would He Run for Mayor of a Troubled Chicago?". John Kass News/The Chicago Way. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Gary Fencik Elected Illinois Lottery Control Board Chairman". Government of Illinois. October 15, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ↑ 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.