Chuck Fenenbock
Encyclopedia
Chuck Fenenbock was an American football
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 star running back
for the Detroit Lions
in the NFL, and for the Los Angeles Dons
in the AAFC where he led the league in numerous offensive categories.
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 Chuck 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 Chuck played alongside such greats as Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson, Woody Strode and Burr Baldwin.
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.
He was named to several All Pro lists. During the 1943 season Chuck 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.
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.
Chuck 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 Chuck the player he most feared in the AAFC.
That year he led the Rockets in most offensive categories. Chuck was the Rockets best player and had a spectacular game in his return to his hometown of Los Angeles to play the Dons.
. In 1949 Chuck started with the Edmonton Eskimos
.
Chuck played his last season in 1950 with the Calgary Stampeders
.
In 2000 Fenenbock’s son, Michael, published a book about Chuck. Fireworks Every Time He Touches The Ball: A Chronicle of Chuck Fenenbock's Football Career. Maxfilms Publishing 2000.
St. Paul High School in Anaheim, California.
Anaheim Rhinos professional football team.
Hawaiian Warriors and the Portland Loggers Football Club in the Continental Football League
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
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 star running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the NFL, and for the Los Angeles Dons
Los Angeles Dons
The Los Angeles Dons were an American football team in the now defunct All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949 that played in the Los Angeles Coliseum....
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 Chuck 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 Chuck 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 Chuck finished near the top of NFL statistics in a number of categories.He was named to several All Pro lists. During the 1943 season Chuck 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 Chuck 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.
Chuck 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 Chuck the player he most feared in the AAFC.
Chicago Rockets
In 1948 Chuck was traded to the Chicago Rockets in the AAFC.That year he led the Rockets in most offensive categories. Chuck 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 LeagueCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. In 1949 Chuck started with the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
.
Chuck played his last season in 1950 with the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
.
Other Details
His small stature, powerful build, and blazing speed meant Chuck would always carry the nickname Mighty Mouse.In 2000 Fenenbock’s son, Michael, published a book about Chuck. Fireworks Every Time He Touches The Ball: A Chronicle of Chuck Fenenbock's Football Career. Maxfilms Publishing 2000.
Later career
Following his playing days, Chuck became a successful coach. Most notably at:St. Paul High School in Anaheim, California.
Anaheim Rhinos professional football team.
Hawaiian Warriors and the Portland Loggers Football Club in the Continental Football League