McElhenny, Hugh E. Jr.
Football
b. Dec. 31, 1928, Los Angeles, CA
Speed, quick cuts, and great peripheral vision made McElhenny one of the most dangerous runners in history. As a junior at the University of Washington in 1950, he scored five touchdowns in a 52-21 win over Washington State.
A first-round draft choice of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers in 1952, McElhenny had the league's longest run from scrimmage, 89 yards, and longest punt return, 94 yards, that season. He led the league with 7.0 yards per rushing attempt and was a consensus choice as rookie of the year.
The San Francisco organization was in financial trouble when the 6-foot-1, 198-pound McElhenny arrived, but his exciting running style drew fans, and General Manager Lou Spadia referred to him as the "franchise saver."
A knee injury limited his playing time in 1954, but he scored 6 rushing touchdown on only 64 carries and again led the NFL with 8.0 yards per attempt. After three solid seasons, the knee began to bother him again in 1959 and the 49ers let him go to the Minnesota Vikings in the 1961 expansion draft.
McElhenny had a fine year with the Vikings, gaining a total of 1,067 yards rushing, receiving, and returning kicks. In 1963, he went to the New York Giants and was a spot player on their NFL championship team. He retired after spending the 1964 season with the Detroit Lions.
An All-Pro in 1952 and 1953, McElhenny played in six Pro Bowls. During his 13 professional seasons, he rushed 1,124 times for 5,281 yards, a 4.7 average, and 2 touchdowns; caught 264 passes for 3,247 yards, a 12.3 average, and 20 touchdowns; returned 126 punts for 920 yards, a 7.3 average, and 2 touchdowns; and returned 83 kickoffs for 1,921 yards, a 23.1 average.