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Pro Football Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny remembered as 'a great part of 49ers history'

Peter Holland Jr., The Repository
·3 min read
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Hugh McElhenny, who was the National Professional League?s leading ground gainer last year until injured displays hit cut away style for the camera during first day workout on July 20, 1955 in Moraga, Calif. many sports writers linked the downfall on the ?49?ers last year to the injury suffered by McElhenney in Midseason.
Hugh McElhenny, who was the National Professional League?s leading ground gainer last year until injured displays hit cut away style for the camera during first day workout on July 20, 1955 in Moraga, Calif. many sports writers linked the downfall on the ?49?ers last year to the injury suffered by McElhenney in Midseason.

CANTON — Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Hugh McElhenny died on Friday, June 17, at his home in Nevada. He was 93. The Hall of Fame announced his death Thursday, as confirmed by his son-in-law, Chris Permann.

McElhenny was known as “The King” and was part of the San Francisco 49ers' “Million Dollar Backfield” from 1954-56 with quarterback Y. A. Tittle, halfback John Henry Johnson and fullback Joe Perry — also all Hall of Famers

McElhenny made six Pro Bowls and was All-Pro twice. At the time of his retirement, he was one of just three players to have gained more than 11,000 all-purpose yards (11,375). He was regarded as one of the NFL's top players of the 1950s for his thrilling runs and all-around skills as a runner, receiver and kick returner.

McElhenny played 13 seasons in the NFL, eight with the 49ers (1952-1960). He also played the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Detroit Lions before retiring in 1964.

FILE - York Giants Halfback Hugh McElhenny, poses at the team's NFL football training camp in Fairfield, Conn., on Sept. 3, 1963. McElhenny, an elusive NFL running back nicknamed "The King," died on June 17, 2022, at his home in Nevada, his son-in-law Chris Permann confirmed Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was 93. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
FILE - York Giants Halfback Hugh McElhenny, poses at the team's NFL football training camp in Fairfield, Conn., on Sept. 3, 1963. McElhenny, an elusive NFL running back nicknamed "The King," died on June 17, 2022, at his home in Nevada, his son-in-law Chris Permann confirmed Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was 93. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)

McElhenny was selected ninth overall by the 49ers in the 1952 NFL Draft. He scored a touchdown on a 40-yard run on his first pro play. He also had the league's longest run from scrimmage (89 yards) and the longest punt return (94 yards) that season. He led the league in yards per carry (7.0) in 1952, scored 10 touchdowns and was named rookie of the year before that became an official NFL award.He earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade squad of the 1950s.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970.

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“The 49ers family is heartbroken to learn of the passing of one of the NFL’s all-time greats, Hugh McElhenny,” San Francisco co-chairman Dr. John York said in a statement. “Growing up, my favorite team was the 49ers. I remember so many great players from the late 50s and 60s.

"When I started to invite an alum to every game, my goal was to meet the `Million Dollar Backfield.′ Hugh was the last of the four to join us and we remained friends. Hugh is a great part of 49ers history.”

Hugh McElhenny is introduced before the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest on May 2, 2014.
Hugh McElhenny is introduced before the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest on May 2, 2014.

McEhlenny was something of a franchise savior for the 49ers, who once tried to sign him out of high school — where he starred at George Washington — when they were still in the All-American Football Conference.

“When Hugh joined the 49ers in 1952, it was questionable whether our franchise could survive," said Lou Spadia, then the team’s general manager. "McElhenny removed all doubts. That’s why we call him our franchise saver.”

FILE - Minnesota Vikings halfback Hugh McElhenny, left, takes to the air to get past a Los Angeles Rams tackler during an NFL football game in Los Angeles, on Oct. 21, 1962. McElhenny, an elusive NFL running back nicknamed "The King," died on June 17, 2022, at his home in Nevada, his son-in-law Chris Permann confirmed Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was 93. (AP Photo/Harold Filan, File)

McElhenny once explained his simple approach to running the ball.

“My attitude carrying the ball was fear,” he said. “Not a fear of getting hurt, but a fear of getting caught from behind and taken down and embarrassing myself and my teammates.”

In 146 career regular-season games in 13 seasons in the NFL, McElhenny rushed for 5,281 yards and 38 touchdowns and had 3,247 yards and 20 touchdowns receiving.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 49ers legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny dies