Mel Renfro & The ROH

[Hostile]

Today in Cowboys History (http://cowboyszone.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2006-10-25&e=128&c=1).

He was one of the true greats. You younger fans take a look at his career stats. Then ask yourselves why it took 19 years for the NFL Hall of Fame to recognize Mel.

He is the living proof of a bias against the Cowboys by the HOF writers. Some were not as lucky as Mel and Rayfield Wright. They have broken down that barrier of bias. We have worthy cadidates still excluded.

Mel Renfro = Pure Class.

[THUMPER]

I rank Renfro as one of the top-5 CBs to ever play the game along with: Mike Haynes, Herb Adderly, Dick Lane, and Lem Barney.

They were all excellent in every phase of the CB position.

[lurkercowboy]

That game with the Dolphins was a great game.

[Maikeru-sama]

Im only 28, but Mel Renfro, along with Everson Walls are my favorite players of all time and I got to meet him 2 years ago.

There is an interesting story (I read in one of my Cowboys books) on how Tex Schramm was able to draft the guy in 1964.

And for the most part, the natural progression is to go from Corner and then Safety, but Mel was able to go from Safety to Cornerback.

That 1971 Defensive Back field of Adderly, Renfro, Green and young Waters/Harris manning down FS has to be one of the greatest Defensive Back fields to ever take the field.

- Mike G.

[percyhoward]

And while we're at it, let's remember a couple of other DB's who should also already be in the Ring, and a third who should be destined for it.

Everson Walls
Only player in history who led the NFL in interceptions three times. Three times an All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, and a even a Super Bowl ring with Parcells' Giants. Somehow he did not make the All Decade team of the 80's, which is chosen by the HOF selection committee. Somehow.

Cornell Green
Four consecutive All-Pro seasons (1966-69), five Pro Bowls, one SB ring. Green was passed over for the All Decade Team of the 60's in favor of the Colts' Bobby Boyd, who only went to two Pro Bowls when Green had already played in three.

Darren Woodson
The all-time leading tackler in Cowboys history. Five Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections. The selection committee saw fit to snub Woody in favor of Carnell Lake for the All-90's Team.

[Hostile]

And while we're at it, let's remember a couple of other DB's who should also already be in the Ring, and a third who should be destined for it.

Everson Walls
Only player in history who led the NFL in interceptions three times. Three times an All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, and a even a Super Bowl ring with Parcells' Giants. Somehow he did not make the All Decade team of the 80's, which is chosen by the HOF selection committee. Somehow.

Cornell Green
Four consecutive All-Pro seasons (1966-69), five Pro Bowls, one SB ring. Green was passed over for the All Decade Team of the 60's in favor of the Colts' Bobby Boyd, who only went to two Pro Bowls when Green had already played in three.

Darren Woodson
The all-time leading tackler in Cowboys history. Five Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections. The selection committee saw fit to snub Woody in favor of Carnell Lake for the All-90's Team.I hope his nephew, a member of this site, reads that.

I totally agree on his exclusion being nonsense. What a fantastic player.

[Maikeru-sama]

And while we're at it, let's remember a couple of other DB's who should also already be in the Ring, and a third who should be destined for it.

Everson Walls
Only player in history who led the NFL in interceptions three times. Three times an All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, and a even a Super Bowl ring with Parcells' Giants. Somehow he did not make the All Decade team of the 80's, which is chosen by the HOF selection committee. Somehow.

Cornell Green
Four consecutive All-Pro seasons (1966-69), five Pro Bowls, one SB ring. Green was passed over for the All Decade Team of the 60's in favor of the Colts' Bobby Boyd, who only went to two Pro Bowls when Green had already played in three.

Darren Woodson
The all-time leading tackler in Cowboys history. Five Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections. The selection committee saw fit to snub Woody in favor of Carnell Lake for the All-90's Team.

I think Woodson will get in soon, no doubt about it.

And Everson Wall should have been in the ROH a long time ago. I read an intersting article a couple of years ago where it was talking about how Everson Walls was calling most of the defensive plays to counter the Bills' no huddle offense. He is also second all time in Interceptions in Cowboys history, 2nd only to none other than the great Mel Renfro.

In Super Bowl XXV against the Bills, he trusted his defense to me. I called most of the plays on field, to counter the Bills no-huddle offense.

link (http://blackvoices.aol.com/newsmain/sports/superbowlxxxix/eversonwalls)

Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris talk about Cornell Green in their book and talked about how smart he was and how much respect they had for him.

[Maikeru-sama]

I forgot to add that Mel Renfro also stood up to the discriminator housing practices that was going on in North Dallas (hence North Dallas Forty) during that time.

Man was a class act on and off the field.

- Mike G.

[ZeroClub]

A great thread all the way around. Nice to remember these guys.

[Hostile]

A great thread all the way around. Nice to remember these guys.We have had some of the best guys as heroes on this club. We're blessed. I love honoring them.

[percyhoward]

For anyone who may not have seen it, here's an interesting Mel Renfro Q & A (http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=389).

There's a huge correlation between making the All-Decade Team and future induction into the Hall of Fame. Neely, Pearson, and Harris are in the minority of players who made All-Decade teams and are not in the HOF. Gene Hickerson, a guard for the Browns in the 60's, is a senior candidate for 2007, and will probably get voted in, precisely because he is on that All-Decade Team.

It could sure help guys like these DB's if they had made those teams, like they should have. Wouldn't hurt if they were in the Ring of Honor either.

[burmafrd]

As was pointed out, Mel Renfro waiting 19 years is about as bad as Wright waiting more then 20. Green was absolutely deadly during his best years; and Walls needs no further comment. All should be in the HOF and since they are not its very clear there is a bias- especially considering how many of the Steelers in there do not deserve it.

[Hostile]

For anyone who may not have seen it, here's an interesting Mel Renfro Q & A (http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=389).

There's a huge correlation between making the All-Decade Team and future induction into the Hall of Fame. Neely, Pearson, and Harris are in the minority of players who made All-Decade teams and are not in the HOF. Gene Hickerson, a guard for the Browns in the 60's, is a senior candidate for 2007, and will probably get voted in, precisely because he is on that All-Decade Team.

It could sure help guys like these DB's if they had made those teams, like they should have. Wouldn't hurt if they were in the Ring of Honor either.Jerry has been way too slow to act on that honor. That is my biggest gripe about him frankly.

[CrazyCowboy]

He was a very good corner with above average cover skills.

[jay cee]

What a great thread, and oh so timely. Definitely good reading after the downer monday night.

[Chuck 54]

Today in Cowboys History (http://cowboyszone.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2006-10-25&e=128&c=1).

He was one of the true greats. You younger fans take a look at his career stats. Then ask yourselves why it took 19 years for the NFL Hall of Fame to recognize Mel.

He is the living proof of a bias against the Cowboys by the HOF writers. Some were not as lucky as Mel and Rayfield Wright. They have broken down that barrier of bias. We have worthy cadidates still excluded.

Mel Renfro = Pure Class.

I'll never forget what I think was the very first ProBowl game ever (I could be wrong) where he played lights out and made great returns in the kicking game to become the MVP of that game.

He was a true cover corner who could actually find the freakin' ball in the air.

[Hostile]

I'll never forget what I think was the very first ProBowl game ever (I could be wrong) where he played lights out and made great returns in the kicking game to become the MVP of that game.

He was a true cover corner who could actually find the freakin' ball in the air.That was 1971 but the Pro Bowl has been around long before that.