Melvin Lacy Renfro was born on December 30,1941 and is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 14-year career as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
25 Facts About Mel Renfro
2.
Mel Renfro is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3.
Mel Renfro collected 32 points outscoring every team except one, recording the state record with a 24.1 broad jump and winning the low hurdles, high hurdles and the half-mile relay team.
4.
Mel Renfro was named outstanding athlete in the Golden West Invitational track meet, which brought annually the nation's top high school seniors.
5.
Mel Renfro was Track and Field News "High School Athlete of the Year" in 1960.
6.
In 1960, Mel Renfro enrolled at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he excelled for the track team and as a two-way football player, an All-American halfback and defensive back.
7.
Mel Renfro is the second two-sport All-American in university history, the first one was George Shaw in football and baseball.
8.
In 1992, Mel Renfro was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame.
9.
Mel Renfro led Oregon in rushing three straight seasons, finishing with a career total 1,540 yards and 23 touchdowns.
10.
Mel Renfro still holds the university's career record for highest average per play at 6.01 yards.
11.
Mel Renfro had 41 catches for 644 yards and five touchdowns, very impressive numbers in an era when running backs usually did not catch more than 10 passes during a season.
12.
In 1986, Mel Renfro was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and is a member of The Pigskin Club of Washington, DC, a National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
13.
Mel Renfro is considered to be the best running back in the history of the University of Oregon, other than LaMichael James.
14.
Mel Renfro was drafted in the second round of the 1964 NFL draft, 17th overall, by the Dallas Cowboys.
15.
In 1966, despite Mel Renfro coming off of an All-Pro season at safety, the Cowboys named him their starting halfback in an effort to improve its offense.
16.
Mel Renfro was injured in the opening game against the New York Giants and replaced by Dan Reeves, who was so impressive that Renfro was moved back to defense when he returned to action and would end up being named to the All-Pro team again.
17.
Mel Renfro was switched to cornerback in his fifth season.
18.
The speedy Mel Renfro became an exceptional threat to wide receivers, leading the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1969.
19.
Mel Renfro was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first ten seasons in the league, including five All-Pro selections in 1964,1965,1969,1971 and 1973.
20.
Mel Renfro was named the offensive MVP of the 1971 Pro Bowl for his two punt return touchdowns.
21.
Mel Renfro returned 109 punts for 842 yards and one touchdown, 85 kickoffs for 2,246 yards and two touchdowns, along with recording 13 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 44 yards.
22.
Mel Renfro remains the Cowboys' all-time leader in interceptions with 52 and in career kickoff-return average.
23.
Mel Renfro joined the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1981 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
24.
In 1984 Mel Renfro coached the defensive secondary under John Hadl with the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League.
25.
Mel Renfro has 4 children Melvin Jr, Anthony, Cindy and Jason.