From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mel Renfro |
Position(s):
Cornerback |
Jersey #(s):
20 |
Born: December 30, 1941 (1941-12-30) (age 66)
Houston, Texas |
| Career Information |
| Year(s): 1964–1977 |
| NFL Draft: 1964 / Round: 2 / Pick: 17 |
| College: Oregon |
| Professional Teams |
|
|
| Career Stats |
| INT |
52 |
| INT yards |
626 |
| Touchdowns |
3 |
| Stats at NFL.com |
| Career Highlights and Awards |
- 10x Pro Bowl selection (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
- 10x All-Pro selection (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973)
- 1970 Pro Bowl MVP
- Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
|
| Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| College Football Hall of Fame |
Melvin Lacy "Mel" Renfro (born December 30, 1941 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football cornerback and safety in the NFL who spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Renfro attended the University of Oregon, where he excelled as a track star and All-American halfback. In his four seasons with the Ducks, Renfro rushed for 1,532 yards and scored 141 points. As a track star for track coach Bill Bowerman Renfro was part of a World Record setting 440 yard relay team in 1962, with a time of 40.0 seconds. His running mates were Jerry Tarr, Mike Gaechter, and Harry Jerome. In 1986, Renfro was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Renfro was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft. He was initially placed as a safety, but was switched to cornerback in his fifth season. The speedy Renfro became an exceptional threat to wide receivers and was selected to the Pro Bowl for each of his first ten seasons in the League. He was selected All-Pro five times. Renfro was also a significant threat in special teams, performing punt and kickoff return duties in addition to playing on defense.
In the 1970 NFC title game, Renfro had a key interception that led to the Cowboys' game-winning touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers that helped them get to Super Bowl V, where they lost to the Baltimore Colts. He would later play in Super Bowls VI and X and XII, retiring after the final one: a Cowboys victory over the Denver Broncos. In his fourteen seasons, Renfro intercepted 52 passes, returning them for 626 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also returned 109 punts for 842 yards and 1 touchdown, 85 kickoffs for 2,246 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with recording 13 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 44 yards..
Renfro was added to the Texas Stadium Ring of Honor in 1981, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
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