Lance Rentzel, Former NFL Receiver, Passes Away at 82

Lance Rentzel, a former receiver for the Cowboys, passed away on Sunday, at the age of 82.

Rentzel, who had notable college success at Oklahoma, was picked 23rd overall by the Vikings in the 1965 NFL Draft and spent a couple of years in Minnesota.

In his rookie season, he initially served as a punt returner, where he notably set a then-record with a 101-yard punt return.

However, his second season was marred by injury and personal troubles. During this time, he drove to a playground in St. Paul, Minnesota, and exposed himself to two young girls.

Facing legal issues, Rentzel managed to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to a lesser disorderly conduct charge, agreeing to undergo psychiatric treatment instead.

The incident significantly harmed his reputation, leading to a trade to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third-round draft pick.

Rentzel found renewed success with the Cowboys, becoming a standout receiver. In just three seasons with the team, he accumulated 2,985 yards and threw for 26 touchdowns.

His breakout year came in 1969 when he led the league in yards per catch and touchdowns, racking up 960 receiving yards, which placed him fifth among all players.

Yet, the challenges didn’t end there. In 1970, he faced another legal issue after exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl in University Park, Texas, resulting in his arrest four days later. He was given five years of probation and required to continue psychiatric care.

Following these events, his marriage ended in divorce, and he was traded to the Rams for another chance in the league. Despite this opportunity, he struggled to regain his earlier form and eventually retired from the NFL in 1975 after being waived, having played for nine seasons.

Later in life, Rentzel authored a book to address the struggles he faced. After his football career, he transitioned to working in the computer industry in Virginia, where he resided until his passing.