Gilbert Renfroe facts for kids
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | February 18, 1963 Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| College: | Tennessee State | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1986 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Career Arena statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at ArenaFan.com | |||||||||||
Gilbert Renfroe (born February 18, 1963) is a former American gridiron football quarterback. He played in several professional leagues. These included the Canadian Football League (CFL), the National Football League (NFL), and the Arena Football League (AFL).
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Early Football Days
Gilbert Renfroe played college football at Tennessee State University. He was a star player there from 1982 to 1985. He became one of the best players in the school's history. He ranked fourth in total offensive yards and passing yards.
After college, he wasn't drafted by the NFL. So, in 1986, he joined the Ottawa Rough Riders in the CFL.
Playing for the Toronto Argonauts
In 1987, Renfroe was traded to the Toronto Argonauts. He shared the starting quarterback job with another new player, John Congemi. The Argonauts had a great season, finishing with 11 wins. They made it to the 75th Grey Cup, which is like the Super Bowl for the CFL.
Renfroe started the Grey Cup game. He threw two touchdown passes, including a long 61-yard pass. He got injured in the third quarter and had to leave the game. The Argonauts lost a very close game, 38–36.
He spent most of the 1988 season on the bench. In 1989, he became the starter again after John Congemi was injured.
Time in the NFL
In 1990, Renfroe moved to the NFL. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons. However, he was cut from the team before the season started. He was later re-signed and played a small part in one game. But he was cut again soon after.
Joining the Minnesota Vikings
On September 26, 1990, the Minnesota Vikings signed Renfroe. Their starting quarterback was injured. Renfroe made history as the Vikings' first ever African-American quarterback. He stayed with the team for a couple of months. He was released when the starting quarterback returned from injury.
He went back to the Falcons the next season. But he was cut again when the team traded for another quarterback. After leaving the NFL, he played nine games for the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL.
Arena Football League Success
After trying out for the Kansas City Chiefs, Renfroe joined the Detroit Drive in the Arena Football League. This league plays football indoors on a smaller field.
Winning the ArenaBowl
In his first AFL season (1992), Renfroe was a big success. He threw for 1,417 yards and 24 touchdowns. He led the Detroit Drive to the ArenaBowl VI championship. They won the game 56–38 against the Orlando Predators. Renfroe played an amazing game. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 229 yards. He threw four touchdowns and had no interceptions. His completion rate was a record for the ArenaBowl.
He continued his success in 1993. He threw for 2,635 yards and 34 touchdowns. The Drive had an excellent season, winning 11 games and losing only one. They made it to the ArenaBowl VII again. However, they lost to the Tampa Bay Storm, 51–31.
Renfroe returned to the CFL in 1994. He signed with the new Shreveport Pirates team. But he was cut before the season began.
