A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who used his speed and elusiveness to rise to prominence as a halfback in the 1950s has died at the age of 93. He died of natural causes at his home in Nevada. In a 13-year career that included stops with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Detroit Lions, McElhenny was known for his long strides and high knee power. His nine-year run with the 49ers vaulted him to football fame. The "Million Dollar Backfield" was a traditional T-formation that featured quarterback Y.A. Tittle, halfback John Henry Johnson, and fullback JoePerry. Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said that Hugh McElhenny was a threat in all areas of the game. Hugh's talent was obvious to pro football scouts when he was a teenager. McElhenny played in the National Football League for 13 years - 1952-1960 San Francisco 49ers, 1961-62 Minnesota Vikings and 1964 Detroit Lions. Nicknamed "The King," McElhenny was enshrined as a member of the Hall of Fame's Class of 1970. #HOFForever pic.twitter.com/zKW5Tqyiu2
Most running backs used more deliberate, smashmouth approaches in the era of McElhenny.
The No. 9 overall selection in the 1952 NFL draft by the 49ers, McElhenny burst onto the professional scene, turning his first play from scrimmage into a 40- yard touchdown run. "The King" became a top target for Tittle out of the backfield, using his big frame to weave his way through defenses off screen passes.
In 1957, he had 37 catches for 458 yards and two touchdown and finished his career with 260 catches for 3,224 yards and 20 scores.
Billy Wilson told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that he believed he could do everything. On a dime, he could change direction. He had a cutting ability that other backs couldn't match.
He was a five-time first-team All- Pro selection and was named to the NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team. He was a first-team All-American at the University of Washington in 1951.
One of the three players to have amassed more than 11,000 all-purpose yards was McElhenny. He was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On his enshrinement day in Canton, he acknowledged his teammates as well as his opponents.
"I want to pay homage to the athletes that I played with for their second efforts which made my runs successful, and to my opponents for all the mistakes they made to make me look good."
He played for the 49ers in 1957 and the Giants in 1963. He caught eight passes and scored.
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