Ron Fernandes

Ronald Michael Fernandes (September 11, 1951 – December 5, 2023) was a professional football player who was a defensive lineman for three seasons with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League (NFL).

Early life Ron Fernandes was born September 11, 1951, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. His family moved to Rocky River, Ohio, where he attended Rocky River High School, earning athletic letters in baseball and football. He returned to Ypsilanti in the middle of his high school years, attending Ypsilanti High School where he earned additional letters in wrestling and football. Fernandes was released by the Dolphins ahead of the 1973 NFL season and signed on with the New England Patriots, only to be cut once again before the season began. At the end of the 1974 World Football League season it appeared that Fernandes' career as a professional football player was over, returning to work as a part-time member of the coaching staff at his alma mater. Fernandes found the switch of line positions from his natural position of defensive end to be difficult, telling the Baltimore Sun, "It's a completely different game than at end. You're still three feet apart [from the opponent], but it's a totally different world the way the offensive lineman blocks you. They can hit a tackle any way they want to, from any angle."

A comeback was made for the 1979 Colts season, this time shifting positions to right defensive end, where he replaced disgruntled All-Pro John Dutton, who refused to return to the team owing to a bitter contract holdout poisoned by comments made by pugilistic owner Bob Irsay. Fernandes started 7 games and appeared in 13 during the year,

Fernandes died on December 5, 2023, at the age of 72.