41 Facts About Mel Farr

Melvin Farr was an American professional football player and businessman.

Mel Farr was selected as a consensus first-team All-American in 1966, gained over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in both 1965 and 1966, and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.

Mel Farr was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round, seventh overall pick, of the 1967 NFL Draft and played seven years as a running back for the Lions.

Mel Farr led the Lions in both rushing and receiving in 1967, totaling 1,177 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, and was selected as the NFL Rookie of the Year.

Mel Farr was twice selected to play in the Pro Bowl, in 1967 and 1970.

Mel Farr's business failed in 2002 following adverse publicity and lawsuits relating to sales and finance practices.

Mel Farr was born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1944, the son of a truck driver and a domestic worker.

Mel Farr graduated from Hebert High School, a segregated school in Beaumont, Texas, in 1963, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

Mel Farr was named all-state in football and track and all-district in basketball.

Mel Farr began his college football career at Santa Monica City College before transferring to UCLA in 1964.

Mel Farr then sustained a hairline fracture in his left arm at the end of August 1964.

Mel Farr totaled 1,001 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns.

Mel Farr ran 49 yards for a touchdown in an upset victory over No 6-ranked USC in 1965, and his average of 6.7 yards per carry in 1965 led the AAWU and ranked second in the NCAA.

Mel Farr totaled 1,034 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting.

In 1988, Mel Farr was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.

Mel Farr was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round, seventh overall pick, of the 1967 NFL Draft.

Mel Farr led the Lions in both rushing yardage and with 39 receptions, and he was selected by the United Press International as the NFL Rookie of the Year.

Mel Farr led the NFL with 490 rushing yards through the first six games of the 1968 season, but he was injured on the third play of the game against the San Francisco 49ers, missed five games, and underwent surgery on his left knee.

Mel Farr finished the 1968 season with 972 yards from scrimmage, 597 rushing and 375 receiving.

Mel Farr returned from knee surgery in 1969, but he sustained a serious injury to his left knee in the fifth game of the season on a hit by Bennie McRae of the Chicago Bears.

In five games during the 1968 season, Mel Farr rushed for 245 yards on 58 carries.

In 1970, Mel Farr returned from his second knee surgery and totaled 930 yards from scrimmage, 717 rushing and 213 receiving.

Mel Farr was selected to play in his second Pro Bowl after the 1970 season.

In July 1971, Mel Farr signed a three-year contract with the Lions.

Mel Farr appeared in nine games in 1971, but only one as a starter, as he continued to be hampered by injuries and lost the starting running back job to Steve Owens and Altie Taylor.

Mel Farr totaled 64 rushing yards on 22 carries in 1971.

In 1972, Mel Farr remained with the Lions, but as a backup to Steve Owens.

Mel Farr had his best game of the season on October 22,1972, gaining 96 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 22 carries against the San Diego Chargers.

Mel Farr totaled 216 rushing yards on 62 carries for the 1972 season.

In 1973, Mel Farr appeared in 11 games, seven as a starter, rushing for 373 yards on 97 carries.

In March 1974, Mel Farr was traded by the Lions to the Houston Oilers.

Twelve days later, Mel Farr announced his retirement from professional football.

In November 1975, after retiring from the NFL, Mel Farr invested his savings to purchase a boarded-up Ford dealership in Oak Park, Michigan.

Mel Farr specialized in the subprime market, expanded into the used car market, and offered credit at rates up to 25 percent.

In 2000, Mel Farr's companies became the subject of negative publicity focusing on their sales and credit practices.

In June 2000, Mel Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that the device turned off their cars when they were in motion.

In January 2002, Mel Farr was in discussions to sell his franchises in Oak Park and Waterford Township, Michigan, to Ford Motor Company, who had outstanding liens with Mel Farr.

Mel Farr was married to his first wife, Mae Rutha Mel Farr, in the mid-1960s.

Mel Farr was divorced from his first wife, Mae, in 2002 after more than 35 years of marriage.

From 2004 to 2009, Mel Farr was married to Linda Johnson Rice, president and CEO of Johnson Publishing Co.

Mel Farr died at his home in Detroit on August 3,2015 at age 70 of a massive heart attack.