Bill Enyart
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |
William Donald Enyart (April 28, 1947 – February 10, 2015), nicknamed "Earthquake", was an American football player. He played fullback for the Buffalo Bills (1969–1970) and linebacker for the Oakland Raiders in 1971.
Early life
Born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Enyart grew up in Medford, Oregon, and was a standout prep athlete at Medford High School. In his three seasons playing varsity football, the "Black Tornado" compiled a 26 record and an A-1 state title in his sophomore season (1962); he also played varsity basketball and baseball and graduated from MHS in 1965.[1]
College career
Enyart played
In his senior season in 1968, Enyart set a school record with 1,304 yards rushing, while scoring 17 touchdowns, for a total of 102 points.
In the three seasons Enyart
Professional career
Enyart was selected early in the
He injured his left knee in a preseason game against the New York Jets in mid-August, but team doctors advised against surgery. Enyart was activated for only one game, the season finale, but Oakland (8–4–2) was the best team to miss the playoffs. Difficulties continued with the knee and he finally had surgery in October 1972, but never played another game.[9]
Legacy
Enyart was inducted into the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In May 2011, he was selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.[10] He eventually settled back in Oregon at Bend to raise his two children, and worked as a Medicaid case worker for the State of Oregon until he retired. Enyart died of cancer at age 67 in Turner in 2015.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b Trower, Tim (February 10, 2015). "Passing of a Giant". Mail Tribune. (Medford, Oregon). Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "Ex-Beaver Enyart Enters Hall of Fame," The Oregonian, July 22, 2012, pg. C3.
- ^ "Enyart keys Beaver victory, 24-21". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). September 29, 1968. p. 1B.
- ^ "Enyart sparks Beavers". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. September 29, 1968. p. 16.
- ^ "OSU back is cited". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). September 30, 1968. p. C1.
- ^ "Lyons ruins State, 35-34". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). October 13, 1968. p. 1B.
- ^ a b "RIP Bill Enyart: Beaver Nation loses one of its best". Oregon Stater. Spring 2015.
- ^ "Sports roundup". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). January 29, 1969. p. 11A.
- ^ "Hurt knee clouds Enyart's future". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). UPI. November 24, 1972. p. 3D.
- ^ "College Football Hall tabs Class of 2011". ESPN. Associated Press. May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ Oregon Live,, report on death
External links
- Bill Enyart at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference ·
- Obituary