Gill Fenerty
| Date of birth | August 24, 1963 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| College | Holy Cross |
| NFL draft | 1986 / Round: 7 / Pick: 173 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1987–1989 | Toronto Argonauts |
| 1990–1991 | New Orleans Saints |
| 1994 | Shreveport Pirates |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1987, 1988, 1989 |
| Awards | 1987 CFL Rookie of the Year |
| Career stats | |
| |
Lawrence Gill Fenerty, aka "Gill the Thrill", (born August 24, 1963) is a former running back in the Canadian Football League and the National Football League.
Fenerty graduated from Jesuit High School (New Orleans) and attended the College of the Holy Cross, where in 1983 he had an amazing game, rushing for 337 yards (on 18 carries) and 6 touchdowns versus Columbia University in a 77 to 28 victory. He is the program's all-time leading rusher with 3,680 yards.
After Leo Cahill of the Toronto Argonauts discovered him playing in Italy for the Bolzano Jets, he began a 3-year career in Canada. In his first year, 1987, he rushed for 879 yards and caught 53 passes, winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award. He also scored a thrilling 61-yard touchdown reception in the Argos last second loss in the classic 75th Grey Cup game. In 1988 he would rush for 968 and catch 51 passes. On August 31 of that year, Fenerty rushed for a team record 215 yards in a single game against the Calgary Stampeders, eclipsing Ulysses Curtis' 36-year-old team record by seven yards. In 1989, Fenerty set a then team record with 1247 yards rushing. He was an all star selection in every season he played, totalling 48 games.
Fenerty moved to his hometown to play for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League for the 1990 and 1991 seasons. He would play 31 games, rushing for 335 yards in 1990 and 477 in 1991, also catching 44 passes in the two years, as well as returning punts and kickoffs.
He ended his career with a brief stint with the CFL expansion Shreveport Pirates in 1994.