He played college football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 10th round of the 1973 NFL draft.[3] 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.[2] He was resigned by the Patriots during the season and was on the team's roster for the last 5 games of the year without seeing game action.[2]
He made a surprising comeback in 1976, winning a spot on the 43-man roster of the Baltimore Colts, registering five quarterback sacks — one of which was a safety — as a reserve defensive end.[2] He came off the bench for the Colts in 13 games during the year.[3]
Fernandes saw action in all 14 of the Colts' games during the 1977 season, cracking the starting lineup as right defensive tackle for 7 games[3] in the aftermath of an injury to regular Joe Ehrmann.[6] 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."[6]
Unfortunately for Fernandes, a knee injury knocked him out of action ahead of the 1978 campaign, and he lost the entire year to injury.[7]
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,[3] with Dutton dealt away by the Colts to the Dallas Cowboys.
He spent the 1980 season on injured reserve and was released by the Colts in August 1981.[4]
