Lance Rentzel

Last updated
Lance Rentzel
No. 27, 19, 13
Position: Wide receiver / Running back
Personal information
Born: (1943-10-14) October 14, 1943 (age 80)
Flushing, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school: Oklahoma City (OK) Casady
College: Oklahoma
NFL draft: 1965  / Round: 2 / Pick: 23
AFL draft: 1965  / Round:  6  / Pick: 48
(by the Buffalo Bills)
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:268
Receiving yards:4,826
Rushing yards:196
Return yards:1,000
Total touchdowns:42
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Thomas Lance Rentzel (born October 14, 1943) is a former American football flanker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.

Contents

Early years

Rentzel was a four-sport star at Oklahoma City’s exclusive Casady School, playing football, basketball, baseball, and running track. He was an All-American high school halfback and the valedictorian of his graduating class. [1]

Rentzel accepted a football scholarship from the University of Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson. As a sophomore, he came off the injured list too late and had to hitchhike to Texas to play in the third game against the #2 ranked Longhorns. He had two long receptions in the game, one for a 34-yard touchdown. [2]

As a junior, Rentzel posted 59 carries for 387 yards (second on the team) with a 6.6-yard average and two touchdowns. [3] He was a versatile all-around halfback and was known for his open-field speed and propensity for big plays rushing, receiving passes, and returning kicks.

During his senior year in 1964, Rentzel was the team's top pass catcher (268 receiving yards) and punter (40.5-yard average). His 491 rushing yards ranked second on the team. In the Big Eight Conference, his 5.4 rushing average was second only to Gale Sayers. [4] He also was the conference's No. 3 pass receiver, as well as No. 2 punter. [5]

Rentzel was one of four Sooners players who missed the 1965 Gator Bowl game against Florida State University. Rentzel, offensive lineman Ralph Neely, Jim Grisham, and Wes Skidgel had signed with professional teams before the game and were ruled ineligible for the contest. [6] Florida State won, 36–19, on the strength of four touchdown catches by Fred Biletnikoff. [7]

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Rentzel was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (23rd overall) of the 1965 NFL draft. [8] He was also selected in the sixth round (48th overall) of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. [9] Rentzel played sparingly as a backup running back due to recurring injuries and his contributions came mainly as a kickoff returner during his first two seasons. Rentzel set the record for the longest kickoff return (101 yards) in franchise history as a rookie, which was broken by Aundrae Allison's 104-yarder in 2007 and Cordarrelle Patterson's 109-yarder in 2013. [10] [11]

In 1966, Rentzel played in only nine games due to ankle injuries. He averaged 20.1 yards on nine kickoff returns and caught two passes for 10 yards.

Dallas Cowboys

1967 season

On May 2, 1967, Rentzel was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third-round draft choice (#76-Mike McGill). [12] The Cowboys converted Rentzel into a flanker, where he became not only an immediate starter over Pete Gent but also one of the best wideouts in the NFL. Rentzel led the team in receptions with 58 for 996 yards (two yards less than Bob Hayes). If Rentzel had gotten four more yards and Hayes two more, it would have been the first time in NFL history that a team had two 1,000-yard wide receivers. In the tenth game of the season, against the Washington Redskins, Rentzel had 13 receptions for 233 yards. The 13 receptions set the franchise record, and stood for 40 years until it was broken by Jason Witten in 2007). The 233 yards were good enough for 3rd on the team at the time (now 6th). He also starred in the 1967 NFL Championship, known since as the "Ice Bowl", scoring a fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown later negated by the Packers' game-clinching drive.

1968 and 1969 seasons

In 1968, Rentzel led the Cowboys in receptions (54) and receiving yards (1,009) with an 18.7-yard average and five touchdowns. Also that year, Rentzel recorded a one-off single, "Lookin' Like Somethin' That Ain't" b/w "Beyond Love" on Columbia Records; the record managed to make the charts at WKY radio in Oklahoma City, [13] but was not a national hit. [14] In 1969, Rentzel led the Cowboys in receptions (43), receiving yards (960), and average receiving yards (22.3). Rentzel tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns scored (13) in 1969.

1970 season

In 1970, Rentzel was leading the team in receiving yards, when he was arrested for exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl. [15] At the time the accusation was made, the press revealed a nearly forgotten incident that happened when, as a Minnesota Viking in September 1966, he was charged with exposing himself to two young girls in St. Paul, and pled guilty to the reduced charge of disorderly conduct. [16] He was not sentenced to jail, but merely ordered to seek psychiatric care. [17] Because of the nationwide reaction and publicity from the scandal, his wife, singer and actress Joey Heatherton, divorced him shortly thereafter. [18] Rentzel asked the Cowboys to place him on the inactive list so he could devote his time to settling his personal affairs. [19] He missed the last three games of the regular season, including the Cowboys' playoff drive to its narrow Super Bowl V loss to the Baltimore Colts. Rentzel finished with 28 receptions (second on the team) for 556 yards (second on the team) with a 19.9-yard average and five touchdowns.

1971 season

On May 19, 1971, Rentzel was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for tight end Billy Truax and wide receiver Wendell Tucker. Head coach Tom Landry said after the trade, "We know we are giving up on one of the top flankers in the league, but I thought he would be better off in another city where he had the same opportunity regularly. We found this in Los Angeles, and it was one of the teams Lance wanted to be traded to if he were traded." [15] To replace him, the Cowboys also obtained Lance Alworth from the San Diego Chargers, in exchange for the left tackle Tony Liscio, the tight end Pettis Norman, and the defensive tackle Ron East. [20]

Although he spent only four seasons with the Cowboys, Rentzel left as the team's fourth all-time wide receiver in addition to other franchise records:

  • Most receptions in a game (13 in 1967), which was broken by Jason Witten twice (15 in 2007 and 18 in 2012).
  • Most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (three), until Michael Irvin passed him in 1995 with four.
  • Still fourth for most receiving touchdowns in a season (12).
  • Still fourth for most career postseason receiving yards (242).
  • Still fourth for most receiving yards in a game (233).

Los Angeles Rams

Rentzel led the Los Angeles Rams in receptions (38) in 1971, but was never able to regain his previous level of play. In October 1972, he was the subject of a lengthy feature article in Sport Magazine written by Gary Cartwright. Also that year, Rentzel wrote When All the Laughter Died in Sorrow, [21] about his professional football experiences and personal life.

In 1973, while on probation for the indecent exposure charge, Rentzel was suspended indefinitely by the NFL at the start of the 1973 season for conduct detrimental to the league after being convicted for possession of marijuana. [22] He was reinstated in 1974 after a ten-month suspension. [23]

Rentzel was one of three men credited with inspiring the eccentricities that surround Media Day at the Super Bowl. In January 1975, Sport Magazine editor Dick Schaap hired Rentzel and teammate Fred Dryer to cover Super Bowl IX. Donning costumes inspired by The Front Page , "Cubby O'Switzer" (Rentzel) and "Scoops Brannigan" (Dryer) peppered players and coaches from both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers with questions that ranged from the clichéd to the downright absurd. Rentzel humorously explained, "We're here to ask the dumbest questions we can and to mooch as much food and beer as we possibly can." [24] [25]

Retirement

On August 27, 1975, Rentzel was placed on waivers, effectively ending his career. [26] After playing in nine NFL seasons, Rentzel accumulated 4,826 receiving yards, 38 receiving touchdowns, 196 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 1,000 return yards, a touchdown from a fumble recovery, and a perfect passer rating of 158.3 by completing his lone pass attempt for a 58-yard touchdown. [27]

Personal life

In April 1969, Rentzel married Joey Heatherton, an actress, dancer, and singer, in New York City. [28] After his indecent exposure charge, Heatherton filed for divorce on September 18, 1971, and it became final in 1972. [29] [28]

Rentzel was in his second season with the Vikings in September 1966 when police arrested him for exposing himself to small children on three occasions in the Highland Park area of St. Paul, Minnesota.

A municipal court judge ordered Rentzel to receive psychiatric care, but gave him no jail time. Neither the Vikings nor the NFL sanctioned him in any way.

Eight months after Rentzel’s arrest, the Dallas Cowboys gave up a future draft pick to acquire him from the Vikings.

On Nov. 23, 1970, police arrested him after he exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl in the Dallas suburb of University Park. Three days after the arrest, Rentzel played in a Thanksgiving Day game for the Cowboys. He would have continued playing with them for the rest of the season, if not for Rentzel’s request that he be placed on the team’s inactive list while he sorted out his legal problems.

In April 1971, Rentzel pleaded guilty to a charge of indecent exposure and was sentenced to five years probation. A month later, the Cowboys traded him to the Rams. Rentzel was allowed a fresh start on a different team, with little thought given to the children he had affected.

The NFL never suspended Rentzel for exposing himself to children. When the league finally did suspend him, in 1973, it was because of an arrest for marijuana possession.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXVII</span> 1993 edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXVII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Buffalo Bills and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1992 season. The Cowboys defeated the Bills by the score of 52–17, winning their third Super Bowl in team history, and their first one in 15 years. This game is tied with Super Bowl XXXVII as the fourth-highest scoring Super Bowl with 69 combined points, as of 2023. The Bills became the first team to lose three consecutive Super Bowls, and just the second of three teams to play in three straight. The following 1993 season, the Bills became the only team to both play and lose four consecutive Super Bowls. The game was played on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and is the last NFL championship game to date to be held in a non-NFL stadium. It was also the seventh Super Bowl held in the Greater Los Angeles Area, which did not host another until Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Alworth</span> American football player (born 1940)

Lance Dwight Alworth, nicknamed "Bambi", is an American former professional football wide receiver who played for the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Often considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, he played for 11 seasons, from 1962 through 1972, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. He was the first player inducted whose playing career was principally in the AFL. Alworth is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His teammates called him Bambi because he had a baby face and could run like a deer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Rice</span> American football player (born 1962)

Jerry Lee Rice is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 20 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He won three Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers before two shorter stints at the end of his career with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Nicknamed "World" because of his superb catching ability, his accomplishments and numerous records, Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history. His biography on the official Pro Football Hall of Fame website names him "the most prolific wide receiver in NFL history with staggering career totals". In 1999, The Sporting News listed Rice second behind Jim Brown on its list of "Football's 100 Greatest Players". In 2010, he was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Moss</span> American football player and commentator

Randy Gene Moss is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, he holds the NFL single-season touchdown reception record, as well as the NFL single-season touchdown reception record for a rookie. All-time, Moss ranks second in career touchdown receptions as well as fourth in career receiving yards. In addition to possessing extraordinary speed at his size and superior leaping ability, he was famously known for often securing spectacular contested catches in tight coverage by physically overpowering defenders. The term "mossed", referring to this ability, has since become a common term in the football lexicon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Irvin</span> American football player, actor, and sports commentator (born 1966)

Michael Jerome Irvin is an American sports commentator and former professional football player. He played his entire 12-year career as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). In 2007, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The NFL playoffs following the 1969 NFL season determined the league's representative in Super Bowl IV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Dial</span> American football player (1937–2008)

Gilbert Leroy "Buddy" Dial was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Rice University.

Walter Eugene "Chuck" Foreman is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the best passing-catching backs in NFL history, Foreman started in three Super Bowls with the Vikings and was the premiere back for the team for most of the 1970s. Upon entering the league in 1973, he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first five seasons of his career. During this time, he was also named once first-team All-Pro team and three second-team All-Pro teams. Nicknamed "The Spin Doctor" for his elusive running abilities, Foreman held the Vikings franchise record for rushing yards from scrimmage upon his retirement. As part of the team's 50th anniversary celebration, Foreman was named as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings in 2010. The Professional Football Researchers Association named Foreman to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2010

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Pearson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1951)

Drew Pearson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. He was elected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Snow (American football)</span> American football player (1943–2006)

Jack Thomas Snow was an American professional football player who played wide receiver with the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL from 1965 to 1975. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1962 through 1964.

Michael Ray Renfro is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Texas Christian University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Rucker</span> American football player (born 1947)

Reginald Joseph Rucker is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Boston University Terriers.

William Frederick Truax is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Louisiana State University.

Otto Stowe is a former American football wide receiver who played four seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Iowa State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amari Cooper</span> American football player (born 1994)

Amari Cooper is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver and earning unanimous All-American honors in 2014. Widely considered the top wide receiver prospect of the 2015 NFL Draft, Cooper was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Thielen</span> American football player (born 1990)

Adam John Thielen is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Minnesota State. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013, playing for them for ten seasons. Thielen holds several NFL records, including eight straight games over 100+ yards receiving, and 74 receptions in the first half of a season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Higbee</span> American football player (born 1993)

Tyler Higbee is an American football tight end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Kentucky and was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Lance Lenoir is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Western Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Goedert</span> American football player (born 1995)

Dallas Clayton Goedert is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Dakota State, and was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Pollard</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tony Randall Pollard is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

References

  1. ↑ Bentsen, Cheryl (September 2, 1975). "Rentzel Says He'll Miss Glamor Of Pro Football". The Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 19, 2016– via Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  2. ↑ Tramel, Berry (September 15, 2005). "Game No. 23: 1962 Texas takes care of OU's fumbles". The Oklahoman . Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Lance Rentzel College Stats". www.sports-reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Rentzel And Sayers Are Tops". The Associated Press . October 21, 1964. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via The Nevada Daily Mail.
  5. ↑ Van Valkenberg, Jim (December 2, 1964). "Announce All Big Eight Teams". The Nevada Daily Mail. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Five Players Are Ineligible For Today's Gator Bowl Game". The Associated Press . January 2, 1965. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via Spartanburg Herald.
  7. ↑ "Biletnikoff-Tensi Duo Honored By Gator Bowl". The Associated Press . February 7, 1965. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
  8. ↑ "1965 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  9. ↑ "1965 AFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Aundrae Allison's 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown one for the Minnesota Vikings' record books". December 2, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Patterson Sets NFL Record With 109-Yard Return Touchdown". vikings.com. October 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Cowboys Get Lance Rentzel". UPI . May 3, 1967. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via The Pittsburgh Press.
  13. ↑ "WKY 930 Oklahoma City Survey 1968-07-25". July 25, 1968. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Lance Rentzel - Lookin' Like Somethin' That Ain't". discogs.com. Discogs . Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Cowboys Trade Rentzel, 3 Others In Shakeup". Associated Press. May 20, 1971. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via Daytona Beach Morning Journal.
  16. ↑ Berkow, Ira (December 14, 1970). "Rentzel Case: Why?". Newspaper Enterprise Association . Retrieved February 19, 2016– via The Sumter Daily Item.
  17. ↑ "Lance Rentzel Indicted By Dallas Grand Jury". Associated Press. December 17, 1970. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via Schenectady Gazette.
  18. ↑ "Actress Files For Divorce From Rentzel". Associated Press. September 24, 1971. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via The Tuscaloosa News.
  19. ↑ "Placed On Inactive List .Dallas Star Rentzel Faces Indecent Exposure Charge". Associated Press. December 1, 1970. Retrieved February 19, 2016– via Spartanburg Herald.
  20. ↑ "Cowboys Trade Rentzel, Gain Alworth And Truax" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  21. ↑ The title comes from a poem by Kendrew Lascelles, which was used as the intro to "Color My World" on the Chicago III album
  22. ↑ "Vikings' Kassulke Is Injured; Rams' Rentzel Gets Suspended" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Rozelle Lifts Suspension On Lance Rentzel" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  24. ↑ Penner, Mike. "Dick Schaap, 67; Sports Journalist" (obituary), Los Angeles Times, Saturday, December 22, 2001.
  25. ↑ "Rentzel, Dryer Find A Way To Super Bowl," The Associated Press, Friday, January 10, 1975.
  26. ↑ "Rams Place Lance Rentzel On Waivers" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Cowboys Defeat Giants With 2nd Half Uprising" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  28. 1 2 "Arrested for Drugs and Assault, Perennial Starlet Joey Heatherton Finally Crashes to Earth". people.com. September 15, 1986. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Joey Heatherton Sues Rentzel For Divorce". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. September 18, 1971. p. 1. Retrieved May 29, 2014.

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Hillary-Cauthen-Josh-Primo-lawsuit-17559569.php#

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.