Herman Fontenot

Fontenot was born on September 12, 1963, in Beaumont, Texas, where he was raised by his grandmother. He attended Beaumont Charlton-Pollard High School, where he was a star player on the school's football team.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-nfl-running-back-herman-fo/166923480/|title=Fontenot: Heavy Heart Makes Right Road Hard to Take|first=Doug|last=Blackburn|work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|date=October 28, 1982|page=B1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} After graduating from high school, he played college football at Louisiana State University. In his freshman season, he was primarily used as a kick returner. For the season, he caught two passes for 26 yards and had nine kick returns in limited action.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/herman-fontenot-1.html|title=Herman Fontenot College Stats|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|accessdate=March 1, 2025}} After his freshman season, the steel plants both he and his mother worked at shut down, which led to Fontenot considering dropping out of school to try and support his mother and two younger siblings. Ultimately, he stayed in school and returned to the football field for his sophomore season at LSU.

In 1982, both Fontenot and fellow sophomore Eric Martin were converted from running back to wide receiver in an attempt to spread out the team's offense and allow for more passing targets, as well as utilizing the skill sets of both players.{{cite news|title=Eric Martin: His Cup Stayeth Full|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-eric-martin-his-cup-staye/167358457/|via=Newspapers.com|first=Doug|last=Blackburn|work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|date=August 25, 1982|page=B1}} After a position battle between the two during the summer, Martin won the primary pass-catching job, with Fontenot primarily being a blocking wide receiver. He finished his second season with eight catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns. LSU intended to get Fontenot more involved in the passing game for his junior season on top of his blocking responsibilities.{{cite news|title=Cautious Optimism Hovers Over LSU|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-crowley-post-signal-cautious-optimis/167358368/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Crowley Post-Signal|date=September 1, 1983|page=35B}} For the season, he caught 22 passes for 330 yards. LSU brought on a new coaching staff for Fontenot's senior season. New wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan complimented Fontenot's blocking ability, noting that it gave the team an "added dimension" on offense.{{cite news|first=Gerry|last=Robichaux|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-wickersham-back-at-thrott/167358277/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Wickersham Back at Throttle for LSU|work=The Tennessean|date=August 26, 1984|page=4B}} He finished his senior season with 25 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns.

After his college football career ended, Fontenot was selected by the New Jersey Generals with the 127th overall pick in the 9th round of the 1985 USFL draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-usfl-open-draft-choice/167358582/|via=Newspapers.com|title=USFL open draft choices|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 4, 1985|page=4C}} He never signed with the Generals, and after being undrafted in the 1985 NFL draft, he signed with the Cleveland Browns.{{cite news|title=Browns open camp, sign 41 free agents|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-delaware-gazette-browns-open-camp-s/167358706/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Delaware Gazette|date=May 7, 1985|page=8}} In training camp, Fontenot, who had been moved back to his original position of running back, became a favorite of head coach Marty Schottenheimer, who praised his fluidity and stated that he had a good chance of making the team despite the acquisitions of Kevin Mack and Greg Allen that season.{{cite news|title=Fontenot Rates Close Look|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-fontenot-rates-close-lo/167358780/|via=Newspapers.com|first=Tony|last=Grossi|authorlink=Tony Grossi|work=The Plain Dealer|date=July 30, 1985|page=5E}} Fontenot began the season on the injured reserve list, but was signed to the active roster in October due to Allen getting injured.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title=Allen undergoes surgery; Kosar to get third start|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-allen-undergoes-surgery/167358895/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=October 26, 1985|page=1C}} He spent the rest of the season primarily on special teams, with the highlight of his season being an 81-yard kick return in the second half of a 28–21 win against the Houston Oilers on December 15.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Dolgan|title=Fontenot escapes obscurity|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-fontenot-escapes-obscur/167359000/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 16, 1985|page=1C}}

With the release of Allen and the signing of kick return specialist Gerald McNeil, the 1986 Cleveland Browns season saw Fontenot move to a change of pace running back role behind Mack and Earnest Byner instead of just being the kick returner.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Dolgan|title=Danielson's injury devastates Browns|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-danielsons-injury-deva/167359086/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=August 30, 1986|page=3D}} Due to injuries to Mack early in the season and Byner late in the season, Fontenot's role on the team increased significantly, and he saw more playing time as the season went on.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Dolgan|title=What kind of wine goes with crow?|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-what-kind-of-wine-goes/167359243/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 28, 1986|page=11C}} On November 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, Fontenot got his first NFL touchdown, a 72-yard pass during a 24–9 Browns win.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title=Fontenot's concentration pays off in 1st TD|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-fontenots-concentratio/167360247/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=November 3, 1986|page=4C}} He also threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter on a trick play at the start of the game in a 47–17 win against the San Diego Chargers in the final game of the season.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title=Rolling into playoffs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-rolling-into-playoffs/167360369/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 22, 1986|page=1E}} Fontenot finished the season with 47 catches for 559 yards. His 47 receptions were second on the team behind Brian Brennan.{{cite news|first=George|last=Sweda|title=No more 'Help Wanted'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-no-more-help-wanted/167360159/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=January 2, 1987|page=12D}} He also had 12 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns' two playoff games.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FontHe00.htm|title=Herman Fontenot Stats|publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate=November 23, 2012}} In the 1986 AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, Schottenheimer ran a play to give the ball to Fontenot on third and two in overtime. The play failed, leading the Browns to punt and eventually lose, which drew criticism from reporters after the game.{{cite news|title=Browns can be second guessed|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-browns-can-be-second-gu/167360028/|via=Newspapers.com|first=Bob|last=Dolgan|work=The Plain Dealer|date=January 13, 1987|page=1D, 3D}}{{cite news|title=California, here they come|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-california-here-they-co/167359907/|via=Newspapers.com|first=John|last=Luttermoser|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=January 12, 1987|page=4C}}

Entering the 1987 season, Fontenot was firmly in the third running back position on the depth chart behind Byner and Mack, but ahead of rookie draft pick Tim Manoa.{{cite news|title=Dickey, Baldwin released|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-dickey-baldwin-release/167359783/|via=Newspapers.com|first=Chuck|last=Heaton|authorlink=Chuck Heaton|work=The Plain Dealer|date=June 26, 1987|page=1C}} During training camp, he injured his hamstring. This, combined with a healthy Byner and Mack, led to his role being significantly reduced, finishing the season with four receptions. He spent most of the season on special teams, leading the group with 17 tackles on kick and punt returns.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title=Browns Report Card|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-browns-report-card/167359727/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=January 24, 1988|page=10C}} The Browns' running back group remained the same for 1988, with Fontenot being the third string running back. However, he was named the starting kick returner and special teams captain for the season.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title='Specials' get salute|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-specials-get-salute/167359623/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=October 3, 1988|page=4D}} The highlight of his season occurred on October 30 against the Cincinnati Bengals when Fontenot recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown and had an 84-yard kick return in a 23–16 Browns win.{{cite news|title=Yo-yo season ends with thrilling comeback|first=Mary Kay|last=Cabot|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-yo-yo-season-ends-with/167359539/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 23, 1988|page=7D}} He finished the season with 19 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown, and also had a career-high 28 rushing attempts for 87 yards.

After the 1988 season ended, Fontenot became an unprotected free agent. Green Bay Packers head coach Lindy Infante, who was offensive coordinator for the Browns, wanted to sign Fontenot to the team during the offseason, as did Schottenheimer, who was now head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Ultimately, Fontenot decided to re-sign with the Browns in early April.{{cite news|first=Tony|last=Grossi|title=Deadline goes; Johnson stays|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-deadline-goes-johnson/167359462/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=April 2, 1989|page=5D}} Three weeks later, the 1989 NFL draft took place. The Browns traded up to select running back Eric Metcalf with the 13th overall pick in the draft. This made Fontenot expandable, and shortly after drafting Metcalf, the Browns traded Fontenot, a 1990 first-round pick, and another draft pick to the Packers in order to draft Lawyer Tillman with the 31st overall pick.{{cite news|title=Accorsi came out gambling|first=Bill|last=Livingston|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-accorsi-came-out-gambli/167359337/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Plain Dealer|date=April 24, 1989|page=1D}}

In July, Fontenot opted not to report to training camp, as he wanted a pay raise to the contract originally offered by the Packers in March rather than the one he signed with the Browns. He eventually reported to camp after being absent for five days and was fined $8,000.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=McGinn|authorlink=Bob McGinn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-poorer-fontenot/167358160/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Poorer Fontenot finally in camp|work=Green Bay Press-Gazette|date=July 29, 1989|page=C1}} During training camp, he was fighting in a crowded group for playing time opposite Brent Fullwood, who had won the primary starting job early on.{{cite news|title=Offense packed with questions|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-offense-packed-w/167358050/|via=Newspapers.com|first=John|last=Aehl|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=August 27, 1989|page=21}} In back-to-back games in October, Fontenot had a two-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys and a late touchdown catch to lead the Packers to a comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons.{{cite news|title=Fontenot finds home in Packers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-fontenot-finds-home-in/167357859/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Capital Times|first=Rob|last=Schultz|date=October 14, 1989|page=18}} He followed that up with seven catches for 76 yards on October 29 against the Detroit Lions,{{cite news|title=Packers tame Lions in OT|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-packers-tame-li/167357771/|via=Newspapers.comfirst=Joseph|last=Dill|work=The Oshkosh Northwestern|date=October 30, 1989|page=16}} and had eight catches for 58 yards on November 26 against the Minnesota Vikings.{{cite news|title=Louisiana Heroes|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-louisiana-heroes/167357691/|via=Newspapers.com|work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|date=November 27, 1989|page=B4}} Fontenot finished the season with 40 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns despite dealing with an ankle injury throughout the season, and was the Packers selection for the Ed Block Courage Award.{{cite news|first=Bob|last=McGinn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-year-long-ankle-injury/167357586/|via=Newspapers.com|title=Year-long ankle injury doesn't stop Fontenot|work=The Post-Crescent|date=January 4, 1990|page=D5}}

Fontenot began the 1990 season holding out for a new contract. He eventually signed one in early September, missing all of training camp and the preseason as a result.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-fontenot-holdout/167385116/|title=Fontenot activated|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=September 16, 1990|page=7E|via=Newspapers.com}} Despite signing the contract, he was still unhappy and was missing team meetings and practices. As a result, the Packers suspended Fontenot at the beginning of October.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-fontenot-suspended/167386124|title=Packers suspend unhappy Fontenot|work=The Capital Times|date=October 6, 1990|page=5B|via=Newspapers.com}} The suspension was originally planned to be two weeks, but Fontenot was reinstated one week later after a 27–13 loss to the Chicago Bears.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal-brent-fullwood-to/167386174/|title=Fontenot rejoins Packers|work=Stevens Point Journal|date=October 9, 1990|page=11|via=Newspapers.com}} He returned to action the following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but injured his hamstring, which caused him to miss another week.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-fontenot-injury/167386212/|title=Fontenot suffers hamstring injury|first=Bob|last=McGinn|work=Green Bay Press-Gazette|date=October 15, 1990|page=C-7|via=Newspapers.com}} Fontenot finished the season with 31 receptions for 293 yards and a touchdown in 14 games. In 1991, Fontenot had an opportunity to acquire the starting running back position, as the training camp battle was between Fontenot, Keith Woodside, and Vince Workman, with none of the three having a clear advantage heading into the preseason.{{cite news|title=Packers search for cure of sick running game|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news-91-packers-rbs/167388946/|first=Bob|last=McGinn|work=Kenosha News|date=July 14, 1991|page=D7|via=Newspapers.com}} Fontenot ended up holding out the entire preseason looking for a new contract. Instead of signing him, the third-down plays were given to Workman, who impressed the Packers enough in the preseason to give him the job, leading to them giving up signing Fontenot and ending his professional career.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-workman-in-fontenot-o/167389699/|title=Workman feels flush of success|first=Rob|last=Schultz|work=The Capital Times|page=1B|date=September 19, 1991|via=Newspapers.com}}

After retiring from the NFL, Fontenot moved to Texas, where he worked in 3D printing. Among his work was the restoration of a 193-year old menorah in Houston.{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Krutchik|title=Former Browns running back helps restore 193-year-old menorah|url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/former-browns-running-back-helps-restore-193-year-old-menorah/article_aef2e218-5067-11eb-bcef-73f63fdf9cc0.html|publisher=Cleveland Jewish News|date=January 7, 2021|accessdate=March 6, 2025}}

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Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Beaumont, Texas

Category:American football running backs

Category:Cleveland Browns players

Category:Green Bay Packers players

Category:LSU Tigers football players

Category:20th-century American sportsmen