Former Cowboys wide receiver Lance Rentzel reportedly died Sunday in Virginia at the age of 82, an obituary revealed.
His skills on the field were undeniable and his larger-than-life personality was magnetic, but an underlying pulse of mental illness plagued his career, according to The Dallas Morning News. Rentzel was married to a television star, and for a while, appeared to have it all.
The athlete was one of the Dallas Cowboys’ most popular players before his reputation unraveled when he was accused of exposing himself to two young girls, according to the outlet. He seemed to bounce back, only to wind up in the same situation once more.
Lance Rentzel, an electrifying Cowboys receiver married to a TV star when legal troubles wrecked their glamorous lifestyle, if not his career, died Sunday in Virginia, according to his obituary. He was 82. https://t.co/ywidlBdRT4
— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) June 10, 2026
An obituary obtained by The Dallas Morning News paid tribute to Rentzel’s personality and his personal relationships.
“To all who knew him, Lance was larger than life – hilariously funny, unfailingly optimistic and happy, warm in spirit, and deeply loyal,” the obituary read.
“He formed many close relationships over the years, most notably the enduring bonds that he shared with his teammates.”
Rentzel was drafted 23rd overall in 1965 by the Vikings, and played two years in Minnesota before his second and final season was cut short partly by an ankle-injury, according to the New York Post. During that second season, Rentzel drove to a playground in St. Paul, Minnesota, and reportedly exposed himself to to younger girls. He pleaded guilty to a reduced disorderly conduct and committed to receiving psychiatric support.
Minnesota created distance from Rentzel’s tainted image by trading him to the Dallas Cowboys, where he quickly won fans over as a star receiver for the team. He racked up 2,985 yards and 26 touchdowns during his three years on the team. Rentzel rose to the top of his athletic career in 1969, but his success was short-lived.
#Sooners https://t.co/ZWdctxbJhq
— The Sports Animal (@sportsanimal) June 10, 2026
In 1970, he reportedly exposed himself to a 10-year-old girl at University Park, Texas, and was arrested four days after, according to the New York Post. Rentzel was ultimately sentenced to five years’ probation and additional mandatory psychiatric rehabilitation. (RELATED: REPORT: Nick Reiner Demands Trust Fund Left By Parents Michele, Rob Reiner, While Awaiting Murder Trial)
His wife, Joey Heatherton, divorced him after the second incident, and Rentzel ended up with the Rams, according to the outlet. He wasn’t able to reach the same level of success that he had achieved with the Cowboys, and entered retirement in 1975.
Rentzel relocated to Virginia and took up work with computer. On the advice of a doctor, he wrote about his challenges in life in a book titled “When All the Laughter Died in Sorrow,” according to The Dallas Morning News.
He is survived by his brothers Del Rentzel and Chris Rentzel of Dallas, and a daughter named Jenny.