In 1982, the season was reduced from a 16-game schedule to 9 contests because of the players' strike that year. In 1981, he had his best year with the Oilers, starting 12 games, while making 39 receptions (second on the team) for 451 yards (second on the team) and one touchdown. In 1980, he started 16 games, tallying 35 receptions (second on the team) for 459 yards (third on the team) and one touchdown. The play was cited as the impetus for league-wide instant replay in the NFL, which was instituted in 1986. Down 17–10 late in the third quarter of the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Dan Pastorini pass to Renfro for an apparent tying touchdown was ruled not a catch, possibly costing the Oilers a chance for victory and a trip to the Super Bowl. In the playoffs he was involved in one of the most controversial plays in NFL history. In 1979, he started 2 out of 15 games, collecting 16 receptions (tied for fifth on the team) for 323 yards (third on the team), a 20.2-yard average (led the team) and 2 touchdowns. As a rookie, he started 10 out of 14 games, registering 26 receptions (third on the team) for 339 yards (third on the team) and 2 touchdowns.

Renfro was selected by the Houston Oilers in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 1978 NFL Draft.

In 2016, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was inducted into the Texas Christian University Athletics Hall of Fame. He played for the Horned Frogs during a low point in TCU football history, which cost him the opportunity to earn more accolades for his play, never experiencing a winning season and winning only 4 games in 4 seasons. He also left as the school's career leader in receptions (162) and receiving touchdowns (17). Renfro graduated from college as the all-time leading pass receiver in school and Southwest Conference history with 2,739 receiving yards. His best season came as a senior, posting 50 receptions for 794 yards, including a school and a Southwest Conference single-season record with 10 receiving touchdowns. As a junior, he led the team with 42 receptions for 773 yards (18.4-yard avg.) and 3 touchdowns. He was named a starter as a freshman and was second on the team with 21 receptions for 362 yards (17.2-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns.Īs a sophomore, his production jumped to 49 receptions for 810 yards (16.5-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns.

He accepted a football scholarship from Texas Christian University. Renfro attended Arlington Heights High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. He played college football at Texas Christian University. Michael Ray Renfro (born June 19, 1955) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and Dallas Cowboys.

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