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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

UA sports legend Fred W. Enke Jr. dies

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Arizona High School Sports Hall of Fame inaugural member Fred W. Enke Jr. died on Sunday in Casa Grande, Ariz. He was 89 years old.

Enke Jr. was a three-sport star at Tucson High School and played football at the UA. From there, he went on to play for seven years in the NFL with three different teams. He is the first Arizonan to start at quarterback in the NFL.

Enke Jr. was the son of UA Hall of Fame basketball coach Fred A. Enke Sr. While at Tucson High School in the early 1940s, Enke Jr. was a two-time All-State quarterback, a consensus All-State basketball player and a consensus All-State baseball player. As an All-State infielder, Enke Jr. led the Badgers to a record 52-game win streak.

He won state championships in football, basketball and baseball.

After retiring from the NFL, Enke Jr. returned to Arizona, farming cotton in the areas of Maricopa and Casa Grande. The cause of Enke Jr.’s death has not been immediately disclosed.

—Follow Luke Della @LukeDella

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