Monday, April 25, 2011

Joe "The Jet" Perry, R. I. P.

Hall of Fame fullback Joe "The Jet" Perry who played sixteen seasons in professional football (1948-63), all but two of them with the San Francisco 49ers, passed away on Monday morning at age 84.

Mr. Perry became the first player in National Football League history to run for 1,000 or more yards in back-to-back seasons (1953, 1954).  He was part of what was called the "Million Dollar Backfield" which included quarterback Y. A. Tittle and fellow running backs Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson, all of whom are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969, six years after his retirement, Joe ran for 9,723 career yards.  He made three Pro Bowls and led the Niners in rushing seven times.

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