NFL Hall of Famer and 49ers legend Hugh McElhenny dies at the age of 93

Hugh McElhenny, a former San Francisco 49ers halfback, passed away at the age of 93, the Pro Football Hall of Fame reported on Thursday. McElhenny was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970. McElhenny died of natural causes on June 17, according to Hall.

“Hugh McElhenny was a danger offensively in all facets of the game — rushing, pass receiving, and kick and punt defensive back,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter stated during a statement. “His all-around brilliance, which was clear to pro football recruiters when Hugh was still a youngster, will be acknowledged and preserved in Canton for all time.”

McElhenny, nicknamed “The King,” had been a two-time first-team All-Pro and 6 time Pro Bowler during his 13-year NFL career with the 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions.

Image Credits – CNN

McElhenny was selected ninth overall in the 1952 draught out of the University of Washington, was voted First of the Year, and an All-Pro in his rookie season. He retired after the 1964 season and was one of just 3 players with greater than 11,000 all-purpose yards at the time (11,375). For six years, he was an analyst for the 49ers’ radio broadcasts.

In 1957, McElhenny had 37 receptions for 458 yards and two touchdowns, and he concluded his campaign with 264 receptions for 3,247 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“The 49ers family is devastated to learn of the loss of Hugh McElhenny, one of the NFL’s all-time greats,” 49ers co-chair Dr. John York remarked in a statement. “My favorite team as a kid was the San Francisco 49ers. I remember a lot of fantastic players from the late 1950s and early 1960s. My aim when I started inviting an alum to every game was to visit the ‘Million Dollar Backfield.’ Hugh was the last of the four to accompany us, and we stayed in touch. Hugh is an important figure in 49ers history.”

McElhenny, a native of Los Angeles, was a 5-time first-team All-Pro pick and was chosen to the NFL’s All-Decade Team in the 1950s. He was a first-team All-American for the Huskies in 1951, and the 49ers retired his No. 39.

McElhenny was one of only 3 players to have higher than 11,000 all-purpose yards when he retired after the 1964 season (11,375). In 1970, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

 

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