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 attended then University of Oregon, where he excelled as a track star and All-American halfback. In his four seasons with the Ducks, Renfro rushed for 1,532 yards and scored 141 points. In 1986, Renfro was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
In 1964, Renfro was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 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 and 3 touchdowns. He also returned 109 punts for 842 yards and 1 touchdown, 85 kickoffs for 2,246 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with recording 13 fumble recoveries, which he retured for 44 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.
