Oklahoma State to Induct Bob Fenimore in Cowboy Football Ring of Honor

STILLWATER – One of the greatest football players in Oklahoma State history is getting inducted into the Cowboy Football Ring of Honor this fall.

Oklahoma State will be honoring Bob Fenimore, the “Blond Bomber,” when the Cowboys host Texas Tech on October 8.

Fenimore will make the third Cowboy inducted into the Ring of Honor, joining fellow College Football Hall of Fame members Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas.

"Bob Fenimore was one of the greatest players to ever play at Oklahoma State," OSU football coach Mike Gundy said. "It was obviously a different era of the game than what we see today, but the way he dominated in every facet was unbelievable. He was a No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick and our greatest player of that era. His place in the Ring of Honor is as well-deserved as any player in the history of the school."

Fenimore was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1947 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, making him the only No. 1 overall pick in program history. He was also the first player in program history to earn All-America honors. His No. 55 is also only one of four numbers to have been retired by the program.

He helped lead Oklahoma A&M to an 8-1 record in 1944, which was capped with a 34-0 win over TCU in the Cotton Bowl.

Fenimore led the nation in total offense in 1944, as he posted 1,758 yards, 899 of which came on the ground which was good for third. He was eight in passing with 997 yards and 13th in punting with 37.3 yards a punt.

The next season, Fenimore led the Aggies to a perfect 9-0 record, which was capped with a 33-13 win over Saint Mary’s in the Sugar Bowl.

He led the nation in both total offense and rushing during the ’45 season, posting 1,641 total yards and 1,119 yards on the ground. In fact, his record 4,627 career yards of total offense stood until Mike Gundy played and broke it in the 1980s.

Decades later, the American Football Coaches Association awarded the 1945 team the national championship.  

"Bob Fenimore led a team that should be credited with proving early in our history that Oklahoma State can win at the highest levels of college football," OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said. "His senior year included an undefeated season, the Sugar Bowl victory and winning the national championship.  He started a long tradition of legendary running backs at OSU.  For those reasons and more, we look forward to adding Bob Fenimore to the Cowboy Football Ring of Honor.”