Gary Fencik, former Yalie, former Bear and current restaurateur, makes his network debut Sunday as a CBS Sports analyst for NFL games.
The former defensive back will join play-by-play man James Brown (the former Harvard basketball player, not the Godfather of Soul) at the Eagles-Buccaneers game.
”I`m very excited,” Fencik said. ”I had the opportunity to do two preseason games (that weren`t aired) and then did a two-day seminar with CBS. I had a good time working with James.”
On his first assignment, Fencik will analyze his former defensive coach, Buddy Ryan, which should help him.
”I`m looking forward to working with the coaching staff from Philadelphia,” he said.
Fencik replaces another Harvard man, and former Bear, Dan Jiggetts, as Brown`s partner. The hulking Jiggetts, now paired with Tim Ryan, will be doing the Vikings-Bills game Sunday at noon on WBBM-TV (Ch. 2).
”We`ll have a little easier time in the tight booths,” Fencik said of working with Brown.
Besides this week`s game, Brown and Fencik will work next week`s Saints-Falcons game and the following week`s Saints-Lions contest.
”I doubt if they`ll have us work any Harvard-Yale games,” Fencik said.
Fencik said he heard earlier this year that CBS was interested in testing him for an analyst role, so he and his agent contacted the network. If Fencik`s previous TV work is any indication, he seems to be made for the medium.
”It`s a great opportunity for me,” said Fencik, who added it would offer a chance to renew acquaintances with former Bear General Managers Jim Finks and Jerry Vainisi. ”You forget how many contacts and people you do know.”
The one drawback is that none of those games will be seen in Chicago. And Fencik hasn`t been told if he would get to work a Bears game in the future.
”People in Chicago won`t see my face very often,” he said.
