Rhome accepted a football scholarship from Southern Methodist University (SMU). He became a starter at quarterback as a sophomore, registering 74 completions (led the conference) out of 129 attempts (second in the conference) for 693 yards (second in the conference), one touchdown and 6 interceptions. In 1961, he transferred to the University of Tulsa after a 2–7–1 football season, which led to the firing of head coach Bill Meek.[1]
In 1963 after sitting out a year, Rhome starred at Tulsa, passing for 1,909 yards, 10 touchdowns, and suffering 13 interceptions. He improved as a senior, with 2,870 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, while leading the nation in total offense (3,128 yards). He finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy—to John Huarte of Notre Dame—in one of the closest elections ever recorded.[2]
Rhome held a number of NCAA records, including the largest number of touchdowns in a game, in a season, and the most consecutive passes without an interception in a football season and in his career. Rhome also won the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 1964, and had his Number 17 jersey retired by the school.
In 1984, he was inducted into the University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas High School Hall of Fame, the Inaugural Class of the Dallas Independent School District Athletic Hall of Fame and the Sunset High School Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Knowing that he had one more year of eligibility, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the thirteenth round (172nd overall) of the 1964 NFL draft with a future draft pick, as would the New York Jets in the 25th round (195th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft.[3]
Rhome began his professional career in 1965 as the third quarterback behind Don Meredith and Craig Morton; he got a chance to start one game that same year against the Cleveland Browns (17–23 loss).[4]
In 1969, although Rhome was a backup to Bill Nelsen, the information he provided about the Cowboys offense helped the Browns beat them in a 38-14 Conference Championship playoff win.[6]
On January 27, 1970, he was traded to the Houston Oilers in exchange for a third round draft choice, that they gave back to the Dallas Cowboys in payment for their original trade.[7]
On August 19, 1971, he was claimed off the waiver wire by the Los Angeles Rams, where he was a backup for one year.[9] On August 24, 1972, he was released after the Rams acquired quarterback Pete Beathard.[10]
