Hugh McElhenny, 49ers Hall of Famer, dies at 93
Hugh McElhenny, the elusive Hall of Fame halfback who starred in the San Francisco 49ers' “Million Dollar Backfield” in the mid-1950s, has died. He was 93.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame said Thursday that McEhlenny died of natural causes June 17 at his home in Nevada, and that son-in-law Chris Permann confirmed the death.
Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, McElhenny's thrilling runs and all-around skills as a runner, receiver and kick returner made him one of the NFL's top players of the 1950s. With the 49ers from 1954-56, McElhenny was part of the “Million Dollar Backfield” with quarterback Y. A. Tittle, halfback John Henry Johnson and fullback Joe Perry — also all Hall of Famers.
McElhenny was selected ninth overall by the 49ers in the 1952 draft and made an immediate impact. He led the NFL in yards per carry (7.0) that season and had the longest run from scrimmage (89 yards) and the longest punt return (94 yards). He scored 10 touchdowns as a rookie.
Swimming AMERICANS CLAIM REDEMPTION AT WORLDS >>
On a night of redemption for American swimmers, Lilly King, Ryan Murphy and the men's 4x200 freestyle team claimed three more gold medals for the United States at the world swimming championships.
King atoned for missing out on the podium in the 100 breaststroke by winning the 200 breaststroke final for the first time. The 25-year-old finished strongly to clock 2:22.41 and beat Australia's Jenna Strauch by 0.63. Kate Douglass claimed the bronze
for the U.S.
King previously won golds in the 50 and 100 breaststroke at the 2017 and 2019 worlds.
Murphy got the Americans' second gold of the evening in the men's 200 backstroke, clocking 1:54.52 to beat Britain's Luke Greenbank by 0.64 seconds and U.S. teammate Shaine Casas by 0.83.
College baseball DELUCIA SHUTS OUT ARKANSAS, SENDS REBELS TO 1ST CWS FINALS >>
Dylan DeLucia scattered four hits in his first shutout for Mississippi, Kevin Graham's run-scoring double in the fourth held up and the Rebels advanced to the College World Series finals with a 2-0 victory over Arkansas.
The Rebels (40-23), the last team picked for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, will face Oklahoma in a best-ofthree series that starts Saturday.
Golf
IN GEE CHUN SHOOTS 64, RACES TO EARLY LEAD AT WOMEN'S PGA >> In Gee Chun breezed to an 8-under
64 to jump out to a big early lead in the first round Women's PGA Championship.
Chun was seven shots better than anyone else who started in the morning, making her a threat to break the record for the largest 18-hole lead in a women's major — set by Mickey Wright, who led this tournament by five shots after 18 in 1961. MCILROY SHOOTS 62 >> Rory McIlroy shot an 8-under 62 to take an early one-stroke lead on the opening day of the Travelers Championship.
Xander Schauffele and Martin Laird each shot 63.
College football TOP QB RECRUIT MANNING GOING TO TEXAS >>
The latest Manning quarterback, and the nation's top recruit for next year's class, has verbally committed to a future SEC school: Arch Manning tweeted that he plans to play at Texas.
Manning is going into his senior season at Isidore Newman, a prep school in New Orleans where his Super Bowl MVP uncles Peyton and Eli also played.