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Ledio "Lee" Fanucchi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 27, 1931 |
| Died | November 27, 2014 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Central High School (Fresno, California) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Valerie L. Fanucchi |
| Children |
|
American football career | |
| No. 73 | |
| Position: | Tackle |
| Career information | |
| College: | Fresno State Bulldogs |
| NFL draft: | 1954 / Round: 22 / Pick: 254 |
| Career history | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1954-1980 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | |
Ledio "Lee" Fanucchi (March 27, 1931 - November 27, 2014) was a former American professional football player, U.S. Air Force veteran, and master gardener from Fresno,California. He was a tackle for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Fanucchi played collegiately at Fresno State before being drafted in the 1954 draft.[1]
Early Life[edit]
Family[edit]
Lee Fanucchi was born to parents Atillio and Fiammetta Fanucchi, who immigrated to Fresno from Italy. His brothers and sisters were Geno, Gina Bernice, Constantino, and Atillio Jr. [2] He was born and raised on his family's farm.[3] He attended Central Union High School and played football for the school's team, the Grizzlies. [2]
College[edit]
After graduating high school in 1949, Fanucchi attended Fresno Junior College. While playing for the school's football team, the Rams, Fanucchi was sought by several high-profile collegiate football programs, including the University of Southern California. From 1951-1954 he decided to play for Fresno State. Recalling this decision to play for the Fresno State Bulldogs, Fanucchi would later say: [3]
I'm a home boy, I hated to depart Fresno. This was where I was born and raised and I just said `Well I'm going to go to Fresno State.'
NFL Career[edit]
Reflecting on his time in the NFL, Fanucchi would later say: [3]
With a combination of hard nose practice and constant hustle I became a member of the 33 man team, playing offensive and defensive tackle. And back then pro-players weren't making much money; I only made about $5,000.
Fanucchi was the first former Fresno City College Ram player to be drafted into the NFL. A knee injury would ultimately end Fanucchi's NFL career.[4]
United States Air Force[edit]
After returning to Fresno, Fanucchi accepted a commission with the USAF. He became a navigator aboard the B-47 in 1955 and the B-52 in 1962, eventually accruing more than 2,500 hours flying time. Over the course of his military career he would be stationed at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota, Air Force Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, Thailand, Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and Castle AFB in Atwater, California. Fanucchi flew aboard the B-66 electronics warfare during his deployment in Thailand during the Vietnam War. At Fort Leavenworth he served as an instructor. [3]
Later Life[edit]
Honors[edit]
On May 1, 2010 Fresno City College, celebrating its one hundred year anniversary, named alumnus Fanucchi as one of its Centennial Honorees. [4]
During the Fresno State v. Air Force game on November 24, 2012, Fanucchi, along with three other former Bulldog players and military veterans, served as honorary captain during Military Appreciation Day.[5] That day Derek Carr, future Oakland Raiders quarterback, led the Bulldogs to a 48-15 win over Air Force. [6] On Sunday December 7, 2014, two days after Fanucchi's funeral, the Oakland Raiders, led by Derek Carr, would produce an upset victory against the neighboring San Francisco 49ers.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ledio Fanucchi NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ a b "The Fresno Bee - Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Former Bulldog: Ledio "Lee" Fanucchi". Gobulldogs.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ a b "Fresno City College : In the News : ArtHop Welcomes Newest Centennial Honorees". fresnocitycollege.org. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Fresno State honoring its captains on Military Appreciation Day". fresnobeehive.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ "Air Force Falcons vs. Fresno State Bulldogs - Recap - November 24, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ "Raiders upset 49ers - San Jose Mercury News". mercurynews.com. 7 December 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
Category:1931 births
Category:American football tackles
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Fresno State Bulldogs football players
Category:People from Fresno, California
Category:Players of American football from California