Lance Rentzel, troubled former Cowboys receiver, dead at 82

Former Cowboys receiver Lance Rentzel died Sunday at 82. The former Oklahoma standout was drafted 23rd overall in 1965 by the Vikings and played two years in Minnesota.His first season was spent as a punt returner, during which he set the then-record for the longest punt return at 101 yards. His second and last season was cut short by an ankle injury and off-the-field issues.During that second season, he drove to a playground in St.

Paul, Minn., where he exposed himself to two younger girls.Rentzel pleaded guilty to a reduced disorderly conduct and promised to receive psychiatric care, making him avoid any jail time. But the damage to his career and image in Minnesota was too severe, and the team traded him to the Dallas Cowboys for a third-round pick.

With his second chance at a career, Rentzel developed into a star receiver for the Cowboys. In just three years in Dallas, Rentzel racked up 2,985 yards and 26 touchdowns.His best season was in 1969, when he led the league in yards per catch and touchdowns (12) while compiling 960 yards (fifth-most among all receivers).But his success would not last long due to more issues on the field. In 1970, he once again exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl at University Park, Texas.Rentzel was arrested four days later and sentenced to five years’ probation and even more mandatory psychiatric care. After the second run in the law, his wife divorced him, and he was soon traded to the Rams for one more chance.

He was never able to replicate his success at the Cowboys and retired from the NFL in 1975 after being put on waivers.He played in the league for nine years. Rentzel ended up writing a book about his life’s ordeals that was supposed to help him mentally.

After the NFL, he moved to Virginia to enter computer work.He lived in the state until his passing on Sunday.   ...