<< back to the November 2002 North Texas Insider

UNTrivia answer:

1. c. Richard Gill -- An all-conference linebacker for North Texas in 1968 and 1969, wearing jersey No. 55. He was to return to the team during the 1970 season, following routine knee surgery for an injury he suffered during practice prior to his senior year. Gill suffered an untimely death when a blood clot reached his lungs shortly after the surgery. He was survived by his wife and son and a daughter, who was born after his death. In 1971, Gill was the first North Texas player to have his number retired.

 

2. d. Joe Green -- A three-time all-Missouri Valley Conference defensive tackle who anchored a unit nicknamed the "Mean Green," which led to his own nickname "Mean" Joe Greene. After being a consensus all-American pick in 1968, he went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. North Texas retired his No. 75 jersey in 1981 and inducted him into the UNT Hall of Fame in 1988.

 

3. a. Abner Haynes -- A two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference running back for the Eagles. Haynes ranked seventh in the nation in rushing and fifth in scoring as a senior in 1959. He led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl post-season game and was named an All-American by Time Magazine that same year. He was inducted into the UNT Hall of Fame in 1986, the same year North Texas retired his No. 28 jersey.

 

4. b. Ray Renfro -- An all-American running back for the Eagles in 1951 who went on to play 12 years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Renfro was the Browns' most feared receiver in the mid-to-late '50s, and he played in three Pro Bowls. Later, Renfro served as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and participated in Super Bowls V and VI. He was inducted into the UNT Hall of Fame in 1988, and his No. 33 jersey was retired posthumously in 2000. Renfro died in 1997 at the age of 67.