gold star for USAHOF

11. Hugh McElhenny

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
11. Hugh McElhenny

A First Round Pick from Washington, Hugh McElhenny traveled down the Interstate-5 to begin his professional football career.

 

McElhenny was the Ninth Overall Draft Pick in 1952, and he was the starting Right Halfback as a rookie.  That season, and the one after, were First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl worthy, and as he was also used as a returner, he led the NFL in All-Purpose Yards (1,731) as a rookie.

While McElhenny's rookie season was not duplicated, he had two other 1,400 APY years with San Francisco, and was a Pro Bowler on three different occasions, giving him five in total as a 49er.  McElhenny's run with San Francisco ended after the 1960 season when the Minnesota Vikings chose him in the Expansion Draft.  He had 9,100 All-Purpose Yards with 51 Touchdowns with the Niners.

McElhenny was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, was part of the first Niners Hall of Fame class in 2009, and sandwiched in between was his jersey retirement of his no.39.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Half Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 9nd Overall in the NFL Draft 1/17/52.
  • Departed:

    Signed by the Minnesota Vikings in the Expansion Draft in 1960.

  • Games Played: 97
  • Notable Statistics:

    89 Games Started
    877 Rushing Attempts
    4,288 Rushing Yards
    195 Receptions
    2,666 Receiving Yards
    15 Receiving Touchdowns
    99 Punt Returns
    648 Punt Return Yards
    1 Punt Return Touchdown
    65 Kick Returns
    1,494 Kick Return Yards
    2 Pass Completions
    6 Pass Attempts
    14 Passing Yards
    1 Passing Touchdown
    1 Interception
    4 Approximate Value*

    1 Playoff Game
    14 Rushing Attempts
    82 Rushing Yards
    6 Receptions
    96 Receiving Yards
    1 Receiving Touchdown

    *Approximate Value was not calculated until the 1960 Season

  • Played For: San Francisco 49ers
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Pro (1952 & 1953)
    Second Team All-Pro (1954, 1956 &1958)
    Pro Bowl (1952, 1953, 1956, 1957 & 1958)
    Most Yards per Rushing Attempt (1952)
    Most All-Purpose Yards (1952)

Last modified on Sunday, 11 September 2022 19:03

Comments powered by CComment