Joe Perry

Championship Games

1949 AAFC - Cleveland Browns 21, San Francisco 49ers 7
Perry played in this game. No other statisical data available.

All-AAFC: 1949 (UPI, NY, OA)

All-NFL: 1953 (AP, UPI, NY), 1954 (AP, UPI, SN, NY)

All-Pro Second Team: 1949 (AP)

All Western Conference: 1954 (PB), 1958 (SN)

(3) – 1953, 1954, 1955

(At the time of his retirement following the 1963 NFL season)

[2nd] Most Attempts Rushing, Career – 1,737 (1950-1963)
[2nd] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 8,378 (1950-1963)
[2nd] Highest Average Gain Rushing, Career – 4.82 (1950-1963)
[2nd] Most Attempts Career, Combined Net Yards – 2,008
[Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Games, Rushing Touchdown - 7
[Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League, Rushing – 2 (1953-54)

49ers' records held by Perry at the time of his retirement following the 1963 NFL season

[1st] Most Attempts Rushing, Career – 1,667 (1948-1960, 1963)
[1st] Most Yards Rushing, Career – 8,689 (1948-1960, 1963)
[1st] Most Yards Rushing, Season – 1,049 (1954)
[1st] Most Yards Rushing, Game – 174 (vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 02, 1958)
[1st] Highest Average Gain Rushing, Game 10-15 Attempts – 13.23 (vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 02, 1958)
[1st] Highest Average Gain Rushing, Game 16-20 Attempts – 9.69 (vs. Cleveland Browns, Oct. 09, 1949)
[1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 80 (1948-1960, 1964)
[2nd] Most Touchdowns, Season – 13 (1953)
[2nd] Highest Average Gain Rushing, Game 16-20 Attempts – 9.56 (at Green Bay Packers, Nov. 20, 1955)
[2nd] Highest Average Gain Rushing, Career – 5.21 (1948-1960, 1963)

League Statistical Championships
Rushing Titles: 1949^A, 1953, 1954

Team Statistical Championships
Rushing Titles: 1949^A, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1961Balt
Kickoff Return Titles: 1949<sup>A

A</sup> All America Football Conference
 

• 1950s All-Decade Team
• 1954 NFL Player of the Year (UPI)

Full Name: Fletcher Joseph Perry

Birthdate: January 27, 1927

Birthplace: Stevens, Arkansas

Died: April 25, 2011 in Chandler, Arizona

High School: David Starr Jordan (Los Angeles, CA)

Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: September 13, 1969

Presenter: Josephine Morabito, Co-Owner, 49ers

Other Members of the Class of 1969: Albert Glen "Turk" Edwards, Earle "Greasy" Neale, Leo Nomellini, Ernie Stautner

Pro Career: 16 seasons, 181 games

Drafted: Signed as free agent in 1948 by San Francisco 49ers

Uniform Number: #34 and #74 with San Francisco 49ers, #34 with Baltimore Colts

Josephine Morbito (presenter):
I should like also to thank the people of Canton for your superb hospitality. It has truly been a football weekend to remember.

Like so many who have become great in a particular endeavor, Joe Perry might well have been outstanding in a completely unrelated field, had Had not World War II and the guiding hand of fate changed the circumstances that were to lead to the gridiron immortality. His first love was music and his chosen profession was to be engineering. And his first athletic triumphs were in track and field. He also was a fine basketball, baseball player and really embraced with football only on the sly because his mother had vetoed the sport because of the dangers that were involved. Once she had seen him play, she relented and became one of his staunchest fans.

Joe played at Compton Jr. College before entering the United States Navy. It was there that he was discovered by one of the 49er players, a John Woudenberg, tackle in the early years of '46 and '47. He quickly told the front office of course of his find.

There was a great deal of speculation as to whether a boy who had not played college ball would be good. But it did not take very long before we realized that that was not necessary at all; he showed very soon after putting on his San Francisco uniform. Joe became known as "The Jet" and he played pro football 16 seasons, 14 of them with the 49ers. The highlights of the most impressive statistical record is the fact that he gained 9,723 yards rushing, more than any other player, but one.

Now, Joe continues to serve as assistant coach and we in San Francisco are most proud of him, he deserves the best which he is receiving this weekend, for he never gave anything less than all of himself which was the best of all the years that he was with us.

Joe Perry!

Joe Perry:
Thank you.

Now generally you prepare for an occasion like this, well, I think I've been preparing for like five or six months. Each time I would write something, I would tear it up.

I think on an occasion like this it can only come from the heart. My only regret is that two people, my mother and Tony Morabito are not here to accept this for me today.

Thank you