Humakel Henny, inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, has died of an elusive running back from the 1950s. He was 93 years old.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame said in a news release that Makeleny died of natural causes at his home in Nevada on June 17, and his son-in-law, Chris Perman, confirmed the death. I did.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, McElheny became one of the NFL's top players in the 1950s with his thrilling runs and comprehensive skills as a runner, receiver and kick returner. became. He served as the league's rookie of the year in 1952 (before the award was officially announced), creating two all-pro teams, six pro bowls, and an NFL all-decade team from the 1950s.
"Hugh McElhenny was an aggressive threat at every stage of the game — in a hurry to receive a pass, kick and pantry turner. When Hugh was still a teenager, a professional soccer scout. His all-around talent, which was apparent to him, will be celebrated and preserved forever in Canton, "said Hall of Fame President Jim Porter in a statement.
McElheny, a player who had a full conference in Washington and set some records for the Pacific Coast Conference, was immediately influenced by being ranked 9th overall in the 1952 draft. Not only did he lead the Runhappy NFL in the number of yards per carry (7.0) that season, McElheny had the longest rush from the scrimmage of 89 yards and the longest punt return of 94 yards. He recorded 10 touchdowns as a rookie.
This was the beginning of the nine seasons. The McEl Henny was the 49ers' primary offensive weapon. Only in 1954, when separated shoulders set him aside after six games, and in 1960, his last year in San Francisco, McElheny was not the focus of the Nainers.
He was also the savior of the franchise and was perfect because he had tried to sign him out of high school when the 49ers were still attending the National Football Conference.
"When Hugh joined the 49ers in 1952, Ruspadia, the team's general manager, said," I was wondering if our franchise could survive. McElheny removed all doubts. That's why we call him a franchise saver. "
The defender would call him another name because he filled his arms with air instead of a ball carrier.
"My attitude to carry the ball was horrifying," he says. I did. "It's not the fear of getting hurt, but the fear of being caught and knocked down from behind and embarrassing yourself and your teammates."
Long stride and high knee movements make it easy to recognize. Not only was McElheny fast, he was a breakdancer move decades before breakdancing became a thing.
"We are preparing a team to list McElheny on the roster," said Humppool, who coached the Rams archival from 1952 to 1954.
Coincidentally, his longtime 49ers backfield mate Joe Perry (in another Hall of Fame) played at Compton Junior College in California, where McElheny starred before heading to Washington. Was there. Together in San Francisco, they formed one of the best backfield tandems of professional football.
However, the Nainers had only one postseason with McElheny, Western. A playoff game with Detroit in 1957 that lost the title of the conference. By 1961, McElheny was a little exhausted, left on the Expansion Draft List, and scooped up by Minnesota. He had a solid season and made the Pro Bowl when the Vikings reached 3-11 in the first season.
His knee problems slowed him down. He played for another year in Minnesota and spent 1963 as a backup for the New York Giants. There he played in his only NFL title game, losing to Chicago and ending his career in Detroit in 1964.
When he retired, McElheny was one of three players who had won over 11,000 all-purpose yards.
