Member Biography

Mel Renfro moved out of his native Houston, Texas, and attended high school in Portland, Oregon. It was a natural progression for him to move on to the University of Oregon, where he played halfback at 5-11 and 190-pounds. Coach Leonard Casanova called Mel the best all-around football player he ever had. Renfro earned All-West Coast recognition as a sophomore, junior and senior, and led Oregon in rushing and scoring throughout his three seasons. He wound up in third place on Oregon's all-time career scoring list with 141 points, finished seventh on the all-time rushing list with 1,532 yards, and had the third longest run in Oregon history with an 80 yarder against Idaho in 1961. Selected Consensus All- America First Team in 1962, Mel was also chosen for the all- time, all-Northwest football team by a panel of sportswriters and former players from the area. In addition, thanks to a 13.8 clocking in the 120-yard high hurdles, he qualified for All- America status in track. Renfro played pro football with the Dallas Cowboys for 14 years (1964-77).