Rick Fenney
Football

Rick Fenney has Snohomish County roots dating back to the 1960s. An Everett native, Fenney was a multi-sport athlete in wrestling, baseball and football at Snohomish High School. He caught the eyes of baseball scouts, but it was his abilities on the gridiron that cemented his name in prep, collegiate and professional football.

Rushing for the Panthers his junior and senior season, Fenney compiled 2,472 yards and 32 touchdowns. He earned All-State and All-Wesco first-team running back honors in 1981 and 1982 and was an All-American selection in the 1982. Though he had looks from several universities, he stayed local and attended the University of Washington (UW) from 1983-1987.

Fenney shined for the Huskies, particularly in the Jan. 1, 1985 Orange Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners. Late in the fourth quarter with a 21-17 lead, teammate Joe Kelly intercepted a deflected pass and returned it inside the 10-yard line. A few plays later with 4:55 remaining, Fenney took the handoff from Hugh Millen, cut back, and as the broadcaster stated was “basically untouched until he got to the goal line.” He drove in a 6-yard touchdown and helped UW rally for a 28-17 victory.

Fenney’s collegiate career concluded with 15 touchdowns, 338 carries for 1,437 yards and 44 catches for 334 yards. He was honored as a Husky Legend in 2017 and is the 15th all-time rusher in UW history.

Fenney stayed true to the purple and gold when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the 1987 NFL Draft. In his five-year span (1987-91), he played in 63 games, rushed for 1,508 yards, tallied 11 rushing and two receiving touchdowns and made three consecutive playoff appearances (1987, 1988 and 1989), including a trip to the 1987-88 NFC Championship game against the Washington Redskins. In a 2004 article, the Seattle Times ranked Fenney ninth of the 25 greatest running backs in Washington state history.

GALLERY