A member of San Francisco's famed Million Dollar Backfield and one of the franchise's most popular players, McElhenny's no.

He was selected by the 49ers with the ninth pick in the 1952 NFL draft, and his versatility made him an immediate star in the league, earning him five first-team All-Pro honors in his first six seasons.

[6] Already being considered one of the best players in football, McElhenny drew high praise; Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon remarked he had "never seen such a combination of speed and size.

[7] He starred as a fullback for the Washington Huskies football team, forming a prolific offensive duo with quarterback Don Heinrich in 1950.

[10] In a game against rival Washington State, he set school records with 296 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

[25] His versatility drew praise from opposing coaches, including George Halas of the Chicago Bears and Steve Owen of the New York Giants.

[27] "If you ever watched McElhenny", explained Washington State coach Jim Sutherland, "you'd think he had eyes on the back of his head.

[29]McElhenny repeated as a Pro Bowler for 1953, joining his backfield teammates, Tittle and fullback Joe Perry.

[31] The team had championship aspirations, but McElhenny separated his shoulder against the Bears in the sixth game, ending his season.

[32] He still managed to make the AP's second-team All-Pro team and was a first-team selection by the New York Daily News.

[34] John Henry Johnson was traded prior to the 1957 season, which broke up the Million Dollar Backfield.

Led by McElhenny and Tittle, the 49ers finished the 1957 regular season tied for the Western Conference title with the Detroit Lions.

"[48] 49ers quarterback Frankie Albert gave him the nickname in the locker room following McElhenny's fourth game as a rookie, in which he returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown against the Bears.

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

[29] After denying rumors for decades, in 2004 McElhenny confirmed that he received improper financial benefits from the University of Washington during his time there, which included a $300 monthly check.

[3] Per NCAA rules, the most a college can offer an athlete is a summer job and a scholarship covering boarding and tuition.

[55] A popular (albeit usually jocular) spin on the rumor was that McElhenny essentially took a pay cut when he left the university to play for the 49ers.

[7][56][57] This was not entirely untrue; all payments accounted for, including legitimate ones, McElhenny claimed he and his wife received a combined $10,000 a year while at Washington—with the 49ers, his rookie salary was worth $7,000.