Hugh McElhenny

Hugh Edward McElhenny Jr. (December 31, 1928 – June 17, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a halfback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1952 to 1964 for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions.

He was noted for his explosive, elusive running style and was frequently called "the King" and "Hurryin' Hugh".

A member of San Francisco's famed Million Dollar Backfield and one of the franchise's most popular players, McElhenny's uniform number, No. 39, is retired by the 49ers and he is a member of the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame.

Born on December 31, 1928 and raised in Los Angeles, California, Hugh McElhenny attended its George Washington High School, where he set state high school records in the high and low hurdles and broad jump, and ran the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds.

He won both hurdles and the long jump at the 1947 CIF California State Meet.

McElhenny first rose to stardom as a standout all-around player for Compton Junior College in 1948.

He then transferred to the University of Washington, where he was a two-time All-Pacific Coast Conference fullback for the Washington Huskies football team and set several school and conference records.

After graduating, he attended Compton Junior College (now El Camino College Compton Center), where he was a standout on Compton's undefeated football team in 1948 that won the Junior Rose Bowl.

That year, he had a 105-yard kickoff return touchdown in a game played at the University of Mexico.

Already being considered one of the best players in football, McElhenny drew high praise; Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon remarked he had "never seen such a combination of speed and size."

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Hugh McElhenny was to pro football in the 1950s and early 1960s what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll", a reference to both his popularity and his nickname.

He starred as a fullback for the Washington Huskies football team, forming a prolific offensive duo with quarterback Don Heinrich in 1950.

He was a first-team All-Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) selection in both 1950 and 1951, and was selected for the Associated Press (AP) 1951 All-America team as a fullback.

Following his senior season he played in a regional college all-star game.

McElhenny led the team in rushing in each of his three seasons and set 16 school records, including season (1,107) and career (2,499) rushing yards.

One of McElhenny's celebrated plays at Husky Stadium was an uncommon 100-yard punt return against USC in 1951.

The following week, he successfully kicked nine out of nine extra points in a 63–6 blowout over Oregon.

He was drafted by the 49ers with the ninth pick in the 1952 NFL draft, and his versatility made him an immediate star in the league, earning him five first-team All-Pro honors in his first six seasons.

With the 49ers, he was selected for five Pro Bowls, and he earned a sixth Pro Bowl appearance with the Vikings.

He finished his career after short stints with the Giants and Lions.

An all-around player who was a threat as a runner and a receiver and also returned kickoffs and punts, McElhenny had amassed the third most all-purpose yards of any player in NFL history when he retired.

One of his Compton teammates was 1952 Olympic gold medalist Sim Iness.

After a year at Compton, McElhenny attended the University of Washington in Seattle.

The San Francisco 49ers selected McElhenny in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 1952 NFL draft.

His first play as a professional was a 40-yard touchdown run which had been drawn in the dirt because he had not yet learned the team's playbook.

He recorded the season's longest run from scrimmage (89 yards), the longest punt return (94 yards), and the top rushing average (7.0 yards per carry).

He was unanimously recognized as the season's top rookie.

McElhenny was also an asset in the receiving game, becoming a favorite target of quarterback Y. A. Tittle on screen passes.

His versatility drew praise from opposing coaches, including George Halas of the Chicago Bears and Steve Owen of the New York Giants.

Former Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack lauded McElhenny as "the best running back I have seen in a long, long time."

Also noted was his vision; he had an uncanny ability of seeing and reacting to tacklers in his peripheral vision.

"If you ever watched McElhenny", explained Washington State coach Jim Sutherland, "you'd think he had eyes on the back of his head. I've seen him cut away from a tackler that 99 percent of the backs wouldn't even have seen. It wasn't instinct—he just saw the guy, out of the corner of his eye."

McElhenny described his playing style as such:

"My attitude carrying the ball was fear—not a fear of getting hurt but a fear of getting caught from behind and taken down and embarrassing myself and my teammates."

McElhenny repeated as a Pro Bowler for 1953, joining his backfield teammates, Tittle and fullback Joe Perry.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

He rushed for over 1,000 yards that season, and was the last Huskies player to eclipse that mark until 1977.

In a game against rival Washington State, he set school records with 296 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

The 296 yards remains a school record as of 2016.

In three appearances against the Washington State Cougars, he rushed for 578 yards (10.1 yards per carry) and scored seven touchdowns to lead the Huskies to win the Apple Cup twice.