Hunter Enis: From Backup Quarterback to Oil Magnate and Philanthropist

Hunter Enis, a former quarterback for the Denver Broncos, has transitioned into a prominent figure in the energy industry and philanthropy. Despite a brief but notable playing career in the American Football League (AFL), Enis achieved considerable success as an oil and gas entrepreneur.

A native of Texas, Enis played as a backup quarterback in the AFL before joining the Broncos in 1962. His football tenure included a stint as offensive backfield coach with the Broncos from 1967 to 1971 under head coach Lou Saban. He later served as a wide receivers coach for the New York Giants from 1974 to 1976.

After leaving the world of professional football, Enis delved into the oil and gas sector, co-founding the Four Sevens Oil Company in 1990 with business partner Dick Lowe. The company achieved significant financial success through strategic acquisitions and the extraction of natural gas, reportedly selling their production three times for sums well over a billion dollars.

Enis credits much of their success to pioneering techniques in hydraulic fracturing, particularly “slickwater fracking,” which allowed them to profitably extract gas from the Barnett Shale formation in and around Fort Worth, Texas. “We did pretty well,” Enis remarked modestly about his business accomplishment.

Beyond his business ventures, Enis has also become a major benefactor of Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was once a star quarterback in the late 1950s. He has served on the TCU board of trustees, spearheading projects like the refurbishment of Amon G. Carter Stadium, with the Four Sevens Oil Company donating what was reported as a $15 million gift to the university in 2012.

Hunter Enis, now 87, continues to work regular hours at Four Sevens despite stepping down from leadership. His contributions to TCU and his business successes have cemented his legacy in the energy sector and sports community alike.

Reflecting on his football years, Enis maintained a good-humored attitude about his experience, highlighting the camaraderie with his teammates and the impact he had in coaching landmark figures like Marlin Briscoe, the first Black starting quarterback in professional football history.

While the wealth Enis accumulated rivals that of famous former Broncos quarterbacks like John Elway and Peyton Manning, his impact extends beyond football into significant contributions within the business and academic communities.