Mel Renfro

Hall of Fame cornerback who spent 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, leading the NFL in interceptions in 1969 and holding franchise records.

Melvin Lacy Renfro (born December 30, 1941) 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 (NFL). He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Quick Facts

Position: Cornerback
Born: 30 December 1941
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, U.S.
Draft year: 1964
Draft round: 2
Draft pick: 17
High school: Jefferson (Portland, Oregon)
College: Oregon

Lore & Background

Renfro was born in Houston, Texas, and moved with his family to Portland, Oregon, where he attended Jefferson High School. He starred as a two-way football player and track athlete, helping his team achieve a 23–0 record as a sophomore and junior, including consecutive Class A-1 state championships in 1957 and 1958. In track, he was named Track and Field News 'High School Athlete of the Year' in 1960. He enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1960, where he excelled in football and track, earning All-American honors in both sports.

In the NFL, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1964 draft (17th overall) and played cornerback, safety, and halfback at various points. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1969 with 10, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first ten seasons. He remains the Cowboys' all-time leader in interceptions (52) and career kickoff-return average (26.4 yards). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Reader's Guide

Renfro's career highlights include leading the NFL in punt return and kickoff return yardage as a rookie in 1964, setting a franchise record with 273 total return yards against the Green Bay Packers. His 30 yards per kickoff return average in 1965 remains a franchise record. He was named offensive MVP of the 1971 Pro Bowl for two punt return touchdowns. In the 1970 NFC Championship Game, he had a key interception that led to the Cowboys' game-winning touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers. He played in Super Bowls V, VI, X, and XII, winning Super Bowl XII. He joined the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1981.

Did You Know?

Renfro was a two-sport All-American at the University of Oregon, the second in university history after George Shaw.
He still holds the University of Oregon career record for highest average per play at 6.01 yards.
In 1962, he was part of a world-record-setting 440-yard relay team with a time of 40.0 seconds.
He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the National High School Hall of Fame in 1995.