Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players all-time

Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 4, 2019

Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys hands off to running back Emmitt Smith #22 during the National Football Conference West game against the San Francisco 49ers on 13 November 1994 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 21 - 14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 30: A general view after the Dallas Cowboys scored a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Cornerback. (1964-1977). Mel Renfro. 10. player. 123.

Often considered one of the best pure athletes to ever play for the Cowboys, Mel Renfro spent 14 seasons with the team that took him in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft. Renfro caught the attention of the Dallas front office because of his athletic traits — he was a running back who earned All-American honors while also standing out as a track star for the Ducks.

Once in Big D, the coaches thought outside the box as they moved him to safety while also using him as a kick returner. Renfro took to the new position extraordinarily well as he had seven interceptions as a rookie. He ended up making the Pro Bowl that year, an honor he earned 10 seasons in a row to start his career.

Renfro’s best season came in 1969 when he led the NFL with 10 interceptions. That came during the first season in which the Cowboys had Renfro playing cornerback rather than safety. In all, the defensive back finished his career with 52 interceptions, which remains the most in team history.

Four years after his career was over, Renfro was inducted to the Cowboys Ring of Honor. However, it took another 15 years for him to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with that honor finally coming to him in 1996.

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