The wide receiver who nearly achieved an impossible NFL milestone
In short: In 1967, Lance Rentzel came within just four yards of making history. By leading the Dallas Cowboys in receiving, he nearly became part of the first team in NFL history to feature two 1,000-yard wide receivers in a single season.
Lance Rentzel was a versatile standout who transitioned from a multi-sport high school star at Casady School to a standout at the University of Oklahoma. Under coach Bud Wilkinson, Rentzel became known for his open-field speed and versatility as a halfback. His collegiate career was marked by high-impact plays, including a 34-yard touchdown reception in a game against the #2 ranked Longhorns. Despite his collegiate success, his early professional years with the Minnesota Vikings were hampered by recurring injuries, limiting his role primarily to kickoff returns.
His career shifted dramatically in 1967 when he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Converted into a flanker, Rentzel became one of the league's premier wideouts. In 1967, he led the team with 58 receptions for 996 yards. That same year, he set a franchise record with 13 receptions in a single game against the Washington Redskins, a mark that stood for 40 years.
Rentzel's peak coincided with a period of significant personal and professional turbulence. In 1969, he recorded 1,009 receiving yards and tied for the NFL lead with 13 touchdowns. However, his career was shadowed by legal issues, including a 1966 disorderly conduct charge and a 1970 indecent exposure charge that led to a divorce from actress Joey Heatherton. Despite these scandals, he remained a high-level performer until his trade to the Los Angeles Rams in 1971, where he struggled to regain his previous form.
By the time he was placed on waivers in 1975, Rentzel had accumulated 4,826 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns over nine seasons. He is remembered not only for his records—including being fourth all-time in career postseason receiving yards (242) and season receiving touchdowns (12)—but also for his eccentric contributions to sports culture. In 1975, he famously donned a costume to pepper players with absurd questions during Super Bowl IX, helping to inspire the modern traditions of NFL Media Day.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Lance Rentzel
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-lance-rentzel.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
