Hugh Edward McElhenny Jr. was a professional American football player.
He was a halfback in the National Football League from 1952 to 1964 for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions.
Hugh McElhenny Jr. was born on December 31, 1928, in Los Angeles to Hugh and Pearl McElhenny. His father was a vending-machine distributor, and his mother was a homemaker.
McElhenny was a football and hurdling star in high school. As a high school athlete in Los Angeles in the 1940s, setting a national record in the high hurdles and state records in the low hurdles and long jump. He could run the 100-yard dash in 9.6 seconds. He briefly attended the University of Southern California before becoming a football standout at Compton Junior College in Los Angeles.
Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1952, McElhenny led the NFL in yards per carry (7.0) in his rookie season and had the league’s longest run from scrimmage (89 yards) and longest punt return (94 yards).
He scored 10 touchdowns: six by rushing, three on pass receptions and one on a punt return. After scoring five touchdowns in one game against the Chicago Bears in his first year, Mr. McElhenny was given a nickname that stuck with him throughout his career: the King.
McElhenny finished his career with 264 receptions for 3,247 yards and 20 scores.
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 in 1951 with the Huskies, and his No. 39 is retired by the 49ers.
Upon retirement following the 1964 season, McElhenny was one of only three players to have amassed more than 11,000 all-purpose yards (11,375).
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, and he is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Hugh McElhenny died on June 17, 2022, at his home in Henderson, Nevada. He was 93.
His death was announced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday in a tweet.
“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”.
McElhenny’s memorial services and obituary are yet to be announced by the family.
Hugh McElhenny is survived by his daughters Karen McElhenny and Susan Ann Hemenway; a sister, Beverly Palmer; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His wife, Peggy McElhenny, died in 2019.