Mel Renfro

Verified Timeline

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.

In Their Own Story

On October 13, 1962, at Rice Stadium in Houston, Renfro delivered a performance that transcended sport. Playing for Oregon against Rice, he dominated on both offense and defense in a 31–12 victory. The stadium had been whites-only prior to the visit, but officials allowed Renfro's family into a special section near the 35-yard line. When Renfro left the field, the predominantly white crowd gave him a loud, appreciative ovation. A Houston sportswriter later asked a counterpart if an African-American player had ever received such recognition; the Texan replied, 'We've never seen any player that good!' The next morning's headline read: 'Renfro Runs Rice Ragged.' Years later, in the 1970 NFC Championship Game, another defining moment occurred. After Jim O'Brien kicked a game-winning field goal for the Cowboys over the 49ers, sending Dallas to Super Bowl V, Renfro was captured in an enduring image of heartbreak, his face buried in his hands as he processed the loss.

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.