Chuck Fenenbock
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Charles Bernard Fenenbock (August 28, 1917 – August 10, 1998) was an
American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team wi ...
player who starred in college at UCLA, and professionally in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCPFL), the National Football League (NFL), the All America Football Conference (AAFC), and the Canadian Football League (CFL). Notably he was a
running back A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback to rush the ball, to line up as a receiver to catch the ball, and block. Ther ...
for the Detroit Lions in the NFL, and for the
Los Angeles Dons The Los Angeles Dons were an American football team in the newly formed football league the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1949, and played their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dons were the first pr ...
in the AAFC where he led the league in numerous offensive categories.


Starring at UCLA

A highly recruited multi sport athlete out of Pittsburg High School in Northern California, Fenenbock chose to play football at UCLA. He starred as UCLA's single wing tailback in 1938 and 1939. He was celebrated for his exiting breakaway runs as well as for his passing skills. On January 1, 1939 Fenenbock was named MVP in the inaugural Pineapple Bowl played in Honolulu. Following the 1938 season he was named to several All American teams . At UCLA Fenenbock played alongside such greats as Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson, Woody Strode and Burr Baldwin.


Professional football

In 1941 he starred with the San Diego Bombers in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCPFL). In 1942 he was the single wing tailback for the renowned Los Angeles Bulldogs in the PCPFL. He was named MVP of the 1942 PCPFL All Star game.


Detroit Lions

Fenenbock starred for the NFL Detroit Lions in 1943 and 1945. As the Lions single wing tailback Fenenbock finished near the top of NFL statistics in a number of categories. He was named to several All Pro lists. During the 1943 season Fenenbock played a big part in turning around Detroit's NFL franchise. In 1944 Fenenbock starred for the acclaimed El Toro Marine Corps football team In 1945 he returned from military to lead the Detroit Lions to an excellent season.


Los Angeles Dons

In 1946 and 1947 Fenenbock played for the Los Angeles Dons in the newly formed All America Football Conference. Led the AAFC in yards per carry in 1946 averaging a stunning 13.5 yards per carry and was second in yards per carry in 1947. Fenenbock was the AAFC's top kick and punt returner 1946-1948. With the Dons he played halfback in the new T-formation adopted by professional football. Fenenbock was acclaimed, along with Buddy Young, as the AAFC's top speedster and breakaway runner. Famed Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown called Fenenbock the player he most feared in the AAFC.


Chicago Rockets

In 1948 Fenenbock was traded to the Chicago Rockets in the AAFC. That year, he led the Rockets in most offensive categories. Fenenbock was the Rockets best player and had a spectacular game in his return to his hometown of Los Angeles to play the Dons.


Canadian Football League

With the merger of the AAFC with the NFL in 1949 many AAFC stars jumped to the
Canadian Football League The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...
. In 1949 Fenenbock started with the Edmonton Eskimos. Fenenbock played his last season in 1950 with the
Calgary Stampeders The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium and are the third-o ...
.


Other details

His small stature, powerful build, and blazing speed meant Fenenbock would always carry the nickname ''Mighty Mouse''. In 2000 Fenenbock's son, Michael, published a book about him. ''Fireworks Every Time He Touches The Ball: A Chronicle of Chuck Fenenbock's Football Career''. Maxfilms Publishing 2000.


Later career

Following his playing days, Fenenbock became a successful coach. Most notably at: *St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California. *Anaheim Rhinos professional football team. *Hawaiian Warriors and the Portland Loggers Football Club in the Continental Football League


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenenbock, Chuck 1917 births 1998 deaths American football running backs Calgary Stampeders players Detroit Lions players Edmonton Elks players UCLA Bruins football players Players of American football from Oakland, California Players of Canadian football from Oakland, California