Top 10 San Francisco 49ers running backs of all time
4. Hugh McElhenny (1952-60)
McElhenny joined the 49ers and picked up right where Strzykalski had left off after being selected ninth overall in the 1952 NFL Draft. As a rookie, McElhenny racked up 1,051 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns, scoring a 40-yard touchdown on his first-ever play. Gaining the team’s longest run (89 yards) and punt return (94 yards) as well, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 1952, something he would accomplish again in 1953. After a couple of down years in 1954 and 1955, the 6-foot-1 halfback set a career high in rushing yards (916) and total yards (1,109) in 1956 as he returned to the Pro Bowl. McElhenny had Pro Bowl seasons with the Niners in 1957 and 1958 as well before injuries began to catch up with him in his final years in San Francisco. The five-time All-Pro finished his career playing for the Vikings, Giants and Lions, but nothing compared to his time in San Francisco, where he put up the seventh-most rushing yards in franchise history with 4,288. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.