Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking top 10 running backs in franchise history

By Nick Di Marco

Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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Running back Hugh McElhenny #39 (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images)
Running back Hugh McElhenny #39 (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Hugh ‘The King’ McElhenny (1952-1960)

Hugh ‘The King’ McElhenny was as elusive as they come. He was a jet on the field, dodging and spinning away from defenders with a level of flair that was unheard of in his era. He also rightfully received a great deal of praise for his receiving ability, was seen as one of the most complete athletes of his time and a prototypical football player.

His accolades as a Niner include six Pro Bowl appearances, five first-team All-Pro selections and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970. His 4.9 yards per carry for a total of 4,288 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns slot him in at No. 7 on Niners’ all-time rushing list.

McElhenny was also a part of the famous 49ers “Million-Dollar Backfield” that consisted of himself, running back Joe Perry, quarterback Y.A. Tittle and running back John Henry Johnson. He is definitely one of the most renowned 49ers of all time, and was considered as one of the most famous athletes of his era. NFL Network listed “The King” as their fourth most elusive running back of all time.

Talk about praise.

Fun Fact: The Pro Football Hall of Fame was quoted saying: “Hugh McElhenny was to pro football in the 1950s and early 1960s what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll.”