Early years

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, McElhenny graduated from its George Washington High School, and attended Compton Junior College where he was a starter on Compton's undefeated football team in 1948. One of his Compton teammates was future 1952 Olympic gold medalist Sim Iness. McElhenny then starred at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he was an All-America selection. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

One of McElhenny's celebrated plays at Husky Stadium was an uncommon 100-yard punt return against USC in 1951. (Few punts are caught near one's own goal line, as the returner usually opts for the probable touchback; those that are caught are rarely returned for significant yardage.)

He was a member of Alpha Theta Delta of Chi Psi fraternity at the university.

Professional career

McElhenny was a first round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 1952 NFL draft, ninth overall, and made an immediate impression as a rookie. He recorded the season's longest run from scrimmage (89 yards), the longest punt return (94 yards), and the top rushing average (7.0 yards per carry). He won the Rookie of the Year award that season. McElhenny continued with the 49ers through 1960, earning five Pro Bowl appearances, before joining the Vikings in 1961 through the expansion draft. He played a second season with the Vikings in 1962 before being traded to the Giants in July 1963 for two draft choices and player to be named later. McElhenny was released by New York in training camp in 1964, was soon picked up by the Lions, and retired after the season.

McElhenny gained 11,375 all-purpose yards in his 13-year career. He was nicknamed "The King" while with the 49ers and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970. After retiring as a player, McElhenny served as a color commentator on 49ers radio broadcasts from 1966 to 1972.

On January 20, 1985, McElhenny participated in the opening coin toss at Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium, along with President Ronald Reagan, who participated by video feed from the White House after having been sworn in to his second term of office earlier that day.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]