Walter Fondren
Encyclopedia
Walter William Fondren III (April 29, 1936 - January 28, 2010) is a former American football
player. He played halfback
and later quarterback
for the Texas
Longhorns
from 1955-57. He could throw the running pass in the split-T
option
and drew comparisons to SMU
's Doak Walker
because of his ability to run, pass and punt the football.
Fondren was drafted 354th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1958 NFL Draft
, but turned down a professional football career, as he was already a millionaire-to-be with his family owning interest in Humble Oil
, an oil company his grandfather, Walter Fondren, Sr.
, founded in 1911.
.
After leading Lamar High School to the 1953 High School State Championship, receiving the Texas Sportswriter's "Outstanding High School Football Player of the Year" Award, Fondren graduated in 1954. In 1984 he was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame. Fondren played football for The University of Texas Longhorns
, where he was selected "First Team All Southwest Conference" and "All Southwest Conference Halfback" in 1955. Fondren played both offense and defense, still holding the record for most minutes played in a season . He received the "George `Hook' McCullough Football Outstanding Player" Award in 1956 and was inducted into The University of Texas Hall of Honor, in 1983. He graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science
in Geology
.
(CCA).
Fondren served on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
as a member from 1982 through 1992; was Council Chairman from 1989 to 1990; and also served on the Billfish Advisory Committee since 1994. He received the Harvey Weil Sportsman/Conservationist Award in 2000 and the prestigious Charles H. Lyles Award in 2001 from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional contributions on behalf of marine resources. He was inducted into the International Game Fish Association
Hall of Fame in 2004 and served as an trustee for many years. He served as chairman of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and was past chairman of the Gulf Coast Council's Billfish Advisory Council. In 2005, he was named one of the 50 legends of fishing by Field & Stream
magazine. He was the first recipient of the CCA
's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He played halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and later quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
Longhorns
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
from 1955-57. He could throw the running pass in the split-T
Split-T
The split-T is an offensive formation in American football that was popular in the 1940s and 50s. Developed by Missouri Tigers head coach Don Faurot as a variation on the T formation, the split-T was first used in the 1941 season and allowed the Tigers to win all but their season-opening match...
option
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
and drew comparisons to SMU
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
's Doak Walker
Doak Walker
Ewell Doak Walker, Jr. was an American football player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a teammate of Bobby Layne in high school and the NFL.-Early life:...
because of his ability to run, pass and punt the football.
Fondren was drafted 354th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1958 NFL Draft
1958 NFL Draft
The 1958 National Football League Draft was held on December 2, 1957 and January 28, 1958 .This was the last year in which the Lottery Bonus pick was used.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:...
, but turned down a professional football career, as he was already a millionaire-to-be with his family owning interest in Humble Oil
Humble Oil
Humble Oil and Refining Co. was founded in 1911. The company would later consolidate with Standard Oil of New Jersey to become Exxon.-Early history:...
, an oil company his grandfather, Walter Fondren, Sr.
Walter Fondren, Sr.
Walter William Fondren, Sr. was an American oil operator and philanthropist.Fondren, alongside Ross S. Sterling and others, founded Humble Oil.-External links:*...
, founded in 1911.
Early life
Walter William Fondren III was born on the April 26, 1936 to Doris Ledwidge and Walter William Fondren, Jr. and grew up with his three sisters in Houston, TexasHouston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
.
After leading Lamar High School to the 1953 High School State Championship, receiving the Texas Sportswriter's "Outstanding High School Football Player of the Year" Award, Fondren graduated in 1954. In 1984 he was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame. Fondren played football for The University of Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
, where he was selected "First Team All Southwest Conference" and "All Southwest Conference Halfback" in 1955. Fondren played both offense and defense, still holding the record for most minutes played in a season . He received the "George `Hook' McCullough Football Outstanding Player" Award in 1956 and was inducted into The University of Texas Hall of Honor, in 1983. He graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
.
Conservation
In 1977 Fondren became the founding chairman of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA), now the Coastal Conservation AssociationCoastal Conservation Association
The Coastal Conservation Association is a grassroots, non-profit, social movement organization of salt water anglers from 17 coastal states spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts. The CCA is primarily concerned with the restoration and conservation of coastal marine resources...
(CCA).
Fondren served on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils
The eight U.S. regional fishery management councils are the primary forums for developing conservation and management measures for U.S. marine fisheries. The regional councils recommend management measures for fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone ; which are subject to approval and implemented...
as a member from 1982 through 1992; was Council Chairman from 1989 to 1990; and also served on the Billfish Advisory Committee since 1994. He received the Harvey Weil Sportsman/Conservationist Award in 2000 and the prestigious Charles H. Lyles Award in 2001 from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission is an interstate compact among the five U.S. states that border the Gulf of Mexico: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas...
in recognition of a lifetime of exceptional contributions on behalf of marine resources. He was inducted into the International Game Fish Association
International Game Fish Association
The International Game Fish Association is the leading authority on angling pursuits and the keeper of the most current World Record fishing catches by fish categories. Fishermen who are sport fishers are careful to follow their stringent rules for fair play and line requirements in order to...
Hall of Fame in 2004 and served as an trustee for many years. He served as chairman of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and was past chairman of the Gulf Coast Council's Billfish Advisory Council. In 2005, he was named one of the 50 legends of fishing by Field & Stream
Field & Stream
Field & Stream is a magazine featuring hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in the United States. Together with Sports Afield and Outdoor Life, it is considered one of the Big Three of American outdoor publishing....
magazine. He was the first recipient of the CCA
Coastal Conservation Association
The Coastal Conservation Association is a grassroots, non-profit, social movement organization of salt water anglers from 17 coastal states spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts. The CCA is primarily concerned with the restoration and conservation of coastal marine resources...
's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.