Melvin Lacy "Mel" Renfro (born December 30, 1941 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football cornerback and safety who spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Mel Renfro, a track star and All-American halfback from the University of Oregon, was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft. Renfro was initially placed as a safety, but was switched to cornerback in his fifth season. The speedy Renfro become an exceptional threat to wide receivers and was selected to the Pro Bowl for each of his first ten seasons in the League. Renfro was also a significant threat in special teams, performing punt and kickoff return duties in addition to playing on defense.
In the 1970 NFC title game, Renfro had a key interception that led to the Cowboys' game-winning touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers that helped them get to Super Bowl V, where they lost to the Baltimore Colts. Renfro would later play in Super Bowls VI and X and XII, retiring after the final one: a Cowboys victory over the Denver Broncos. In his fourteen seasons, Renfro intercepted 52 passes, returning them for 626 yards. He also returned 109 punts for 842 yards and 85 kickoffs for 2,246 yards.
Renfro was added to the Texas Stadium Ring of Honor in 1981, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
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Last updated: 08-16-2005 21:36:07
