Publisher's Synopsis
Considered the greatest "thrill runner" of all-time, Hugh "The King" McElhenny ran with a tremendously long stride and high knee action. His breakaway speed and unique ability to change direction at will left defenders dazed and confused. As a University of Washington All-American halfback, he established conference records for yards gained (2,499) and longest punt return (100 yards) and led the conference in scoring in 1950 and 1951. McElhenny was a first-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1952 and was an instant hit. His rookie season left sportswriters groping for new superlatives. In his rookie season, the versatile half back recorded the 49ers season's longest run from scrimmage (89 yards), the longest punt return (94 yards), and the top rushing average (7.0 yards per carry). Not surprisingly, he was a unanimous choice for the league's NFL Rookie of the Year honors. In 1961, after nine seasons and five Pro Bowl appearances with the 49ers, McElhenny played for the Minnesota Vikings. It was, all things considered, his finest season. With the Vikings, he accounted for 1,067 combined yards and made his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl. Two years later, as a member of the New York Giants, McElhenny realized a dream that had thus far escaped him -- playing on a championship team. When he retired after the 1964 season, McElhenny was one of only three players to have gained more than 11,000 all-purpose yards. "His running ability was as good as any player who ever lived. His peripheral vision was much like O. J. Simpson," said Don Heinrich, QB, New York Giants; "He could change his course two and three times in one run. He was unbelievable," said Billy Wilson, end, 49ers;" McElhenny was like a bowling ball thrown with body English, It slides crazily down the alley, curls around the pins and scatters them gently," said Frankie Albert, QB, 49ers; "Mac was the greatest broken-field runner football has ever seen,"- said Y.A. Tittle, QB, 49ers; "He ran around you, through you and, if the situation demanded it, right over you," said UCLA coach Red Sanders. If you love football, you'll love this book. "The King" Hugh McElhenny, the legendary halfback, is a wonderful biography of one of the NFL's greatest all-time classic open-field runners ever. 296 pages, 296 outstanding photos! A must read for any NFL fan! Also there are two companion books that feature Hugh "The King" McElhenny. They are- "Kezar-Stadium-49ers Fans Remember" and "San Francisco 49ers LEGENDS-The Golden Age of Pro Football", also available from Amazon.
