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5. Mel Renfro

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5. Mel Renfro

Mel Renfro was a football and track star at the University of Oregon, Mel Renfro was a college Running Back, but Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys had other ideas for his speed.

Renfro was converted into a Safety, and like many rookie safeties, he was also used as a returner.  He would lead the NFL in Returns and Return Yards and had seven picks.  Renfro was also named to the Pro Bowl, and that would usher in a ten-year run of selections to that post-season honor.  Renfro would lead the NFL in Interceptions with 10 in 1969 and had 52 in a career spent entirely with the Cowboys.  Renfro was also a vital part of Dallas wins in Super Bowl VI and XII.

This was an outstanding career for someone who was not a Defensive Back in college!

Renfro would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1981.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Cornerback, Punt Returner, Safety
  • Acquired: Selected in the 2nd Round, 17th Overall in the NFL Draft 12/2/63.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1977 Season.
  • Games Played: 174
  • Notable Statistics:

    153 Games Started
    52 Interceptions
    626 Interception Return Yards
    3 Interception Return Touchdowns
    13 Fumble Recoveries
    44 Fumble Recovery Yards
    3.0 Quarterback Sacks*
    109 Punt Returns
    842 Punt Return Yards
    1 Punt Return Touchdown
    85 Kick Returns
    2,246 Kick Return Yards
    2 Kick Return Touchdowns
    133 Approximate Value

    21 Playoff Games
    4 Interceptions
    32 Interception Return Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery
    -8 Fumble Recovery Yards
    4 Punt Returns
    23 Punt Return Yards
    5 Kick Returns
    124 Kick Return Yards

    *Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (VI & XII)
    First Team All-Pro (1969)
    Second Team All-Pro (1964, 1965 & 1972)
    Pro Bowl Selection (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 & 1973)
    Most Kick Returns (1964)
    Most Kick Return Yards (1964)
    Most Punt Returns (1964)
    Most Punt Return Yards (1964)
    Most Returns (1964)
    Most Return Yards (1964)
    Most Interceptions (1969)

Last modified on Sunday, 14 August 2022 15:03
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