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Mike Renfro hears plenty of, "Aren't you the former ...?"
But before Renfro can answer for fans, he has to wait for the end of the question.
The answer changes based on where he is geographically.
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Renfro's NFL career and post-football career have centered in Texas.
When he's south of Waco, he's known as the former Houston Oiler to fans. When
he's north of Waco, he's the former Cowboy. When he's at Lone Star Park in Grand
Prairie, he's known as the former owner of a dazzling thoroughbred named Dr.
Death. NFL Tickets
When he's outside the state, he's the former Oiler who was called out of bounds.
"They recognize the name," Renfro said. "Not so much the face."
Renfro starred at Arlington Heights High School, then TCU and eventually played
with the Cowboys from 1984 to 1987. The former hard-nosed wide receiver is still
around the Fort Worth-Dallas area. Renfro, who lives in Southlake, has worked
in the business department at Lone Star Park since it opened in 1997.
Renfro, 48, retired from the NFL in 1988 and became absorbed in the horse racing
industry after purchasing Dr. Death at Louisiana Downs. One day after buying
the horse, he won a race at Louisiana Downs and $350,000, and the sport instantly
grabbed Renfro. NFL Tickets
"He made more than I did on the team," Renfro said. "I was hooked
from day one."
Renfro started buying horses and gaining investors such as former Cowboys Danny
White and Gary Hogeboom, and former Oilers coach Bum Phillips and Earl Campbell.
Renfro soon owned 10 horses and was putting investment partnerships together.
But slowly, Renfro's luck with the horses ran out. He sold the horses, but wanted
to remain in the business in some fashion and earned a little luck back with
the opening of Lone Star Park.
Renfro is director of business development and was instrumental in bringing
the Breeder's Cup to the venue in 2004. He said the event will draw $60 million
to the local economy. NFL Tickets
"It was a big coup for us," Renfro said. "We are very excited.
Texas has a lot of racing tradition. We are one of the real players here and
we are here for a long time."
Renfro's time with football is mostly reserved for his two sons, who both play
wide receiver in the Carroll school district. Clint is a sophomore who also
plays basketball and runs track. Ford is an eighth-grader who also plays defensive
back. His daughter Klayton is a senior at Carroll and runs track.
"I was obviously blessed with a few genes and I've passed them on to my
kids," Renfro said.
He was often alongside his father Ray Renfro, an assistant with the Cowboys
from 1968 to 1972. Mike was a water boy for the Cowboys while in high school
and was on the sidelines for the Cowboys' 1971 Super Bowl victory against Miami.
In the NFL, he was a gritty possession receiver who overcame average size and
speed. It was also a career remembered best for a catch that didn't count.
Renfro was called out of bounds on an apparent touchdown against Pittsburgh
in the back of the end zone in the Jan. 6, 1980 AFC championship. The touchdown
and a successful point-after kick would have tied the score late in the third
quarter. Pittsburgh went on to win the game 27-13. NFL Tickets
"It was the right foot," Renfro said. "It was in."
It was ruled out.
"It was probably the play that implemented instant replay," Renfro
said.
Maybe fans will someday ask him if he's the player who helped change the NFL.
The Mike Renfro file
Residence: Southlake
Age: 48
Height: 6-0
Playing weight: 185
Professional career: Houston Oilers (1978-83); Dallas Cowboys (1984-87).
Professional statistics: Had career highs for catches (60) and receiving yards
(955) and touchdowns (eight) with the Cowboys in 1985. Had 232 career receptions
with 4,708 yards and 28 touchdowns. Averaged 14.6 yards per catch for his career.
Recorded 17 touchdowns with Cowboys.
College career: TCU (1974-1977)
College accomplishments: All-Southwest Conference wide receiver 1975-77. ...
All-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 17. ... Ranks second in
career receptions with 162. ... First in career receiving yards with 2,739.
... Ten touchdowns in 1977 ranks first for a single season. ... Won the Rogers
Trophy, awarded to the team's most valuable player, in 1976-77.
Personal: Wife Denise; daughter Klayton (18); sons Clint (16) and Ford (13).