NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 46 - Ron Fearn, East

The No. 46 football player on our list went from East to one of the Big Ten's great Cinderella stories of the 1960s.

Ron Fearn was a run first quarterback who led the E-Rabs to a 6-2-1 record in 1959. The E-Rabs later had to forfeit two wins for playing an ineligible player. Fearn led the Big Eight in rushing touchdowns with 10, added five passing and even one on a punt return.

He was so impressive that he was named first team All-Big Eight over Freeport's Harry Kent, who threw 20 touchdown passes while leading the Pretzels to an 8-0-1 record. The only blemish on Freeport's record was a 19-19 tie with East when Fearn rallied the E-Rabs from a 19-6 deficit in the final quarter.

Fearn accepted a scholarship to Illinois, which had just hired Pete Elliot to take over its program. On offense, the Illini tried Fearn at quarterback. He ran for 226 yards and passed for 115 over 1961 and 1962. These were dark days for the Illini. Illinois was 0-9 in 1961 and 2-7 in 1962.

In 1963, the Illini, behind legendary linebacker Dick Butkus, went from the bottom of the Big 10 to the top, going 8-1-1 and making the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1951.

Fearn made his mark in arguably Illinois' two biggest wins. Elliot moved Fearn to running back for 1963, but he used his passing skill to good use in a week two win 10-9 win over Northwestern. The only touchdown came on a 32-yard halfback option touchdown pass from Fearn.

On Thanksgiving, the Illini knocked off the fourth ranked Michigan State Spartans, 13-0. The star on defense was Fearn with two interceptions.

Illinois went on to beat Washington, 17-7, in the Rose Bowl and finish the season ranked No.3 in the AP Poll. Illinois wouldn't make the Rose Bowl again until 1983.

No. 46 - Ron Fearn, East
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1958	High School	East	Winning Team	1
			Honorable Mention All-Big 8	.5
1959	High School	East	Winning Team	1
			League Leader (rushing TDs)	1
			First Team All-Conference	2
			All-State	1
1960	College	Illinois	Player on Power 5 Freshman Team	2
1961	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
1962	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
1963	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
			Bowl Game	1
			Top Four Poll Finish	1
Total				26.5

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players