Mel Renfro
| Mel Renfro | |
|---|---|
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Positions: Cornerback , Free Safety |
Jersey number (s): 20 |
| born December 30, 1941 in Houston , Texas | |
| Career information | |
| Active : 1964 - 1977 | |
| NFL Draft : 1964 / Round: 2 / Pick: 17th | |
| College : University of Oregon | |
| Teams | |
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| Career statistics | |
| INT | 52 |
| the resulting gain in space | 626 yards |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
| College Football Hall of Fame | |
Melvin Lacy Renfro (* the thirtieth December 1941 in Houston , Texas , USA ) is a former American American football poker players. Among other things, he played Free Safety in the National Football League (NFL) with the Dallas Cowboys and is considered one of the best safetys of all time.
Youth / college
Renfro was born in Texas, but moved with his parents to Portland as a child , where he also grew up and started playing sports, especially football, in 1952 on the recommendation of a teacher in high school . In 1961 he began his college studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene and played there in attack as a halfback with the Oregon Ducks . By 1963 he had gained 1,532 yards of space and scored 141 points. He was voted All Star in his league three times . In 1962 he was voted All American - one of the best college players of his class in the entire United States. He also received sporting honors for his achievements as a track and field athlete. Because of his achievements as a football player, the NFL scouts became aware of him.
Professional career
Career as a player
Renfro was dragged 17th in the 1964 NFL Draft in the second round by the Cowboys. In contrast to college, he was initially used by his coach Tom Landry as safety in defense . In 1966 he was supposed to appear again as a running back, but injured himself before the season and was put back into the defense. In his fifth year as a professional, Renfro was retrained to be a cornerback . It was in this position that he had his greatest successes. The lightning-fast and sure-fire Renfro became the horror of all opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks . He was also employed in the special teams of the cowboys as a punt and kick returner . The young team of cowboys developed into a top team thanks to his achievements.
1970 the Cowboys were able to move into the Super Bowl for the first time and lost Super Bowl V with Craig Morton as quarterback against the Baltimore Colts at 16:13. Renfro still delivered an outstanding game. He managed to fend off a pass from Johnny Unitas in such a way that his teammate could catch him, and he was also able to achieve an interception himself. The following year, the Cowboys with Roger Staubach as playmaker in Super Bowl VI were able to defeat the Miami Dolphins under coach Don Shula and quarterback Bob Griese 24: 3. In 1975 the Cowboys moved into the Super Bowl again, but had to admit defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X. The Cowboys defense had found no defense against the Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw . In 1977 the Cowboys were able to win a Super Bowl for the second time. They won in Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos with 27:10.
After 14 game rounds Renfro ended his career after the 1977 season. He reached 52 interceptions in the regular season during his 14 seasons in 174 games. In total, he was able to achieve nine touchdowns during his career , but as a professional also suffered a total of three concussions . Renfro still suffers from the physical damage caused by his sports career. Tom Landry explained that no matter where you use him, he will always develop into a top player.
Career as a coach
Renfro was after his playing career coach with the Los Angeles Express in the USFL and then coach with the St. Louis Cardinals . He could not build on his successes as a player.
Honors
Renfro is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame , Pro Football Hall of Fame , Oregon Sports Hall of Fame , Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor . He played 10 times in the Pro Bowl , the season finale game of the NFL's best players. In 1970 he was elected to the Pro Bowl MVP .
After the career
Renfro, a devout Christian, is married and lives in Dallas . He is socially engaged in the fight against drug abuse and works as a representative for a company in Dallas.
Web links
- Mel Renfro with the Dallas Cowboys
- Mel Renfro in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
- See Mel Renfro's statistics
- Mel Renfro in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
- Mel Renfro's website
source
- Jens Plassmann: NFL - American Football. The game, the stars, the stories (= Rororo 9445 rororo Sport ). Rowohlt, Reinbek near Hamburg 1995, ISBN 3-499-19445-7 .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Renfro, Mel |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Renfro, Melvin Lacy (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American football player and coach |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 30, 1941 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Houston , Texas, USA |