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Lance Rentzel

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Lance Rentzel
No. 27, 19, 13
Position:Wide receiver / Running back
Personal information
Born: (1943-10-14) October 14, 1943 (age 81)
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
Stats at Pro Football Reference

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.

Early life

[edit]

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

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Minnesota Vikings

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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. He 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

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1967 season

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On May 2, 1967, Rentzel was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third-round draft choice (#76-Mike McGill).[12] Rentzel was converted 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 third on the team at the time (now sixth). Rentzel 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

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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). He also tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns scored (13) in 1969.

1970 season

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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 Rentzel was charged with exposing himself to two young girls in St. Paul in September 1966, and pleaded 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, Rentzel's 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] Rentzel 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 the 1970 season with 28 receptions (second on the team) for 556 yards (second on the team) and five touchdowns.

1971 season

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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 Rentzel, the Cowboys also obtained Lance Alworth from the San Diego Chargers, in exchange for left tackle Tony Liscio (who retired before reporting to the Chargers, then returned to the Cowboys during the season when starting left tackle Ralph Neely suffered a season-ending injury), tight end Pettis Norman, and 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).

Los Angeles Rams

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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

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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]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1965 MIN 11 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
1966 MIN 9 1 2 10 5.0 8 0
1967 DAL 14 14 58 996 17.2 74 8
1968 DAL 14 14 54 1,009 18.7 65 6
1969 DAL 14 14 43 960 22.3 75 12
1970 DAL 11 11 28 556 19.9 86 5
1971 RAM 14 14 38 534 14.1 41 5
1972 RAM 14 14 27 365 13.5 40 1
1973 RAM Suspended for entire season
1974 RAM 14 0 18 396 22.0 38 1
Career 115 83 268 4,826 18.0 86 38

Personal life

[edit]

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 (while Rentzel was in New Orleans with the Rams for their season opener), and it became final in 1972.[29][28]

References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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.

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