Eastern Michigan Athletics
E-Club Hall of Fame Member Ron Fernandes Passes Away
12/7/2023 1:37:00 PM | Football, E-Club
Fernandes was an EMU as a student-athlete and later played professionally
More information.
FLAT ROCK, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University E-Club Hall of Famer Ron Fernandes passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the age of 72. Fernandes, who was inducted into the E-Club Hall of Fame in 2019, was a three year letterwinner in football before playing professionally.
Fernandes was a three-year starter from 1970 to 1972. An outstanding defensive lineman for the EMU football team, he totaled 219 tackles (111 solo, 97 assist) and five fumble recoveries in his EMU career. One of EMU's stars in the 1971 Pioneer Bowl with nine tackles and two pass deflections, Fernandes led EMU in tackles in 1972 with a total of 101, which included 47 solo stops and 54 assists. He made six tackles for a loss as a senior and led the team in tipped balls with four, and tied for the most fumble recoveries with two.
Drafted in the 10th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, Fernandes spent the last five games on the New England Patriots Taxi Squad. He was the 10th Eastern Michigan football player ever selected in the NFL Draft. Fernandes played for the New England Patriots and Detroit Wheels of the Word Football League in 1974. He coached the EMU Freshman Team in 1975 and played for the NFL's Baltimore Colts from 1976-79. Fernandes played in 40 career games with the Colts, starting in seven games in both 1977 and 1979. He also played for the Washington Federals and New Jersey Generals in 1983.
The father of Kendall (Alister) McCracken and Courtney Fernandes. He is survived by his brother Chris (Terri) Fernandes, nephew Brad (Katie) Fern, and niece Sarah Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dudley Fernandes and Elizabeth Szekely, and his brother, Pete.
FLAT ROCK, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University E-Club Hall of Famer Ron Fernandes passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the age of 72. Fernandes, who was inducted into the E-Club Hall of Fame in 2019, was a three year letterwinner in football before playing professionally.
Fernandes was a three-year starter from 1970 to 1972. An outstanding defensive lineman for the EMU football team, he totaled 219 tackles (111 solo, 97 assist) and five fumble recoveries in his EMU career. One of EMU's stars in the 1971 Pioneer Bowl with nine tackles and two pass deflections, Fernandes led EMU in tackles in 1972 with a total of 101, which included 47 solo stops and 54 assists. He made six tackles for a loss as a senior and led the team in tipped balls with four, and tied for the most fumble recoveries with two.
Drafted in the 10th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, Fernandes spent the last five games on the New England Patriots Taxi Squad. He was the 10th Eastern Michigan football player ever selected in the NFL Draft. Fernandes played for the New England Patriots and Detroit Wheels of the Word Football League in 1974. He coached the EMU Freshman Team in 1975 and played for the NFL's Baltimore Colts from 1976-79. Fernandes played in 40 career games with the Colts, starting in seven games in both 1977 and 1979. He also played for the Washington Federals and New Jersey Generals in 1983.
The father of Kendall (Alister) McCracken and Courtney Fernandes. He is survived by his brother Chris (Terri) Fernandes, nephew Brad (Katie) Fern, and niece Sarah Johnson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dudley Fernandes and Elizabeth Szekely, and his brother, Pete.
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