Gil Fenerty - Running Back - 1987-89 - Holy Cross College

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In 1987, Leo signed the most exciting running back the Argos had had since Bill Symons was in his prime during the late 1960's. His name was Gill (The Thrill) Fenerty. Fenerty was the greatest running back in the history of Holy Cross University and had somehow been overlooked by the NFL. He had gone to Europe and was playing in Italy when Leo tracked him down.

Fenerty simply exploded in Toronto...rushing for nearly 900 yards, scoring 15 touchdowns and was named the CFL Rookie of the Year. He was helped by the addition of two exciting young quarterbacks who again had been signed by Leo...John Congemi and Gilbert Renfroe.

The Argos improved their regular season record in 1987 finishing 11-7. Their offense was explosive and their defense was as always...very tough, and aggressive. The Argos defeated Hamilton and Winnipeg in the

 playoffs and headed to Vancouver to take on the Edmonton Eskimos in the Grey Cup. This Championship game was

considered by many experts, among the finest ever played. Fenerty played spectacularly, scoring one touchdown on a short plunge into the end zone and then sprinting out of the backfield to haul in a bomb from Gilbert Renfroe and take that all the way for another major. The lead changed hands numerous times and the game wasn't settled until the Eskimo's Jerry Kauric kicked a last minute field goal to give Edmonton a 38-36 victory.

It had been a wonderful year for Leo and the Argos but Leo was still disappointed. He desperately wanted a Grey Cup championship and still didn't have it. With Fenerty running wild and rushing for 968 yards in 1988 the Argonauts flattened the Eastern Conference finishing with a record of 14-4. Their season however came to a stunning end as Winnipeg upset them in the Eastern final.

continued by CFL-H- In 1989 Gill's last year with the Argonauts he enjoyed his finest season. Setting a club record for rushing yards that would stand for 12 season Fenerty rumbled for 1,247 yards on the ground. He scored 12 touchdowns leading the offence and being named to his third consecutive All-Eastern All-Star selection. Toronto finished the season 7-11 but made the playoffs only to lose to Winnipeg for a second straight season in the post-season this time in the Eastern Semi-final.

Following the 1989 season Fenerty signed with the New Orleans Saints, used primarily as a returner and reserve running back Fenerty enjoyed 2 successful seasons with the Saints before retiring. Gill Fenerty has been immortalized as one if the premiere return men in the cult Nintendo Entertainment System classic Tecmo Super Bowl.