Mel Renfro: Hall of Fame

[Hostile]

Melvin Lacy "Mel" Renfro

1964 - 1977

DB, Oregon

Melvin Lacy Renfro. . .No. 2 draft pick, 1964. . .College All-America, super track man. . .Started as safety, finished as cornerback. . . Return specialist early in career. . .Earned Pro Bowl berth first 10 years. . .All-Pro five years, All-conference seven times. . .Career record: 52 interceptions, 842 punt return yards, 2,246 kickoff return yards. . . Led NFL in interceptions, 1969, punt and kickoff returns, 1964. . .Born December 30, 1941, in Houston, Texas.


Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame 7/27/96
Inducted in Cowboys Ring of Honor 10/25/81

10 time Pro Bowl...1964 - 73
4 time All Pro...1965, 69, 71, 73

Link to Mel Renfro's Hall of Fame Page.
Link to Mel Renfro's Stats.


Mel Renfro excelled as a blue-chip defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys from 1964 to 1977. The 6-0, 190-pounder, who had been an All-America halfback as well as an outstanding track star at the University of Oregon, was the Cowboys’ second-round pick in the 1964 NFL Draft.

He began his career at safety but switched to cornerback in his fifth season. It was as cornerback that he enjoyed his greatest success in the NFL. During his first three seasons, Renfro also excelled as a punt and kickoff return specialist.

Renfro, who was born December 30, 1941, in Houston, Texas, had a spectacular rookie season in 1964. He led the Cowboys with seven interceptions, topped the NFL in both punt return and kickoff return yardage and culminated his great campaign with an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

Renfro, who was blessed with 4.65 speed and an exceptional ability for lateral movement, earned a Pro Bowl invitation his first 10 seasons but did miss the 1973 game because of injury. An All-NFL choice in 1964, 1965, 1969, 1971, and 1973, he also earned all-conference honors seven times.
Mel led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1969. In his 14-season career, Renfro intercepted 52 passes that he returned for 626 yards. He returned 109 punts for 842 yards and 85 kickoffs for 2,246 yards and a sparkling 26.4-yard average.

In his career, he scored six touchdowns, three on interceptions, one on a punt return and two on kickoff runbacks. Renfro played in eight NFL/NFC championship games and four Super Bowls. His interception set up the Cowboys winning touchdown in a 17-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the 1970 NFC title game. He retired after Super Bowl XII.

[DallasCowpoke]

He was real good! Wish we could clone him.

[the big 88]

Originally Posted by Taps-n-1

He was real good! Wish we could clone him.

That just about sums it up! Lol

[bbgun]

No memories, just pix.

[cowboyeric8]

Hey finally I memory thing that I can post out of all of these old guys.

I had the opportunity to meet him at an autograph signing in Amarillo. It was just awesome, the guy will talk to you for forever. Just a genuinely nice guy. He signed like 5 things because he kept talking and asking if I wanted anything else for him to sign, the people in line were getting kind of mad, ha. But anyway just a great guy. I have a picture if your interested.

[Hostile]

When I think about the Hall of Fame bias against the Dallas Cowboys, the first player to come to mind is Mel Renfro. To this day I cannot understand why he wasn't a first ballot Hall of Famer. I really can't understand why it took 19 years for him to earn the honor. He played 14 years. In 10 of those he was either a Pro Bowler, an All Pro, or both. He had 54 career interceptions. he played multiple positions and did them all well. Unlike some arguments against players you can't say the bias against him was about character. His is the kind they call sterling.

[Cbz40]

Mel always was one of those players that came up with the big play when you needed it most. The interception against San Fran which sent us to Super Bowl V. Making the Pro Bowl year after year.......What a great player and gentleman.

[cowboyeric8]

ok that is huge, hopefully someone can help me out

[Juke99]

Before there was a Deion Sanders, there was Mel Renfro.

'Nuff said.

[lockster]

On the subject of corners. If we draft a corner, I don't even know why we'd consider someone who couldn't run a 4.4 or below. If u look at all of the best corners on our team through the history of cowboys. Mel Renfro, K. Smith, Deion ( though he really doesn't belong to us so to speak), Cornell Green, Walls? I forgot how fast he was. It seems to me any guy that comes up really big for us has had some big time speed. Why even bother with those that don't. Champ Bailey isn't a cover guy just because of technique, I tell ya.