Joe Perry

Biography

Fletcher Joseph "Joe" Perry revolutionized the fullback position through exceptional speed and elusiveness, becoming the first African-American NFL Most Valuable Player while establishing himself as one of professional football's pioneering black stars. Born January 22, 1927 in Stephens, Arkansas, Perry's family relocated to Los Angeles during the Great Depression, where he became a four-sport star at David Starr Jordan High School while admiring UCLA athletes including Jackie Robinson. After scoring 22 touchdowns at Compton Junior College in 1944, Perry declined UCLA recruitment and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, playing football for Naval Air Station Alameda. San Francisco 49ers discovered him there and signed him to the AAFC in 1948 for $4,500—less than Los Angeles Rams' $9,500 offer—based on Perry's trust in owner Tony Morabito, whom he considered like a father. He became the team's first African-American player. Quarterback Frankie Albert nicknamed him "the Jet" during early practices after Perry shot out of his stance so explosively that Albert couldn't hand him the ball in time. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, Perry was unusually small for a fullback but possessed remarkable speed, running the 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds. Y.A. Tittle called him "the fastest player off the ball in the history of the world," while his playing style combined power and speed with deceptive elusiveness rather than typical fullback inside power running. Perry became the first player in NFL history to rush 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, gaining 1,018 yards in 1953 and 1,049 in 1954—the third and second highest single-season totals at that time. His 1954 campaign earned United Press Pro Player of the Year honors, making him the first black player so honored. That season, Perry joined Y.A. Tittle, Hugh McElhenny, and John Henry Johnson forming the 49ers' legendary "Million Dollar Backfield"—the only full-house backfield with all four members eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The unit shattered San Francisco's team rushing record with 2,498 yards. In 1955, the 49ers staged "Joe Perry Day" at Kezar Stadium before facing Cleveland Browns, honoring Perry with gifts including a new car. He responded with 116 yards on 20 carries, out-gaining Cleveland's entire backfield and prompting coach Paul Brown to remark, "This was Joe Perry's day in more ways than one." Perry became the NFL's all-time rushing leader in 1958, surpassing Steve Van Buren. Beginning in 1954, Perry hosted popular radio program "Both Sides Of The Record" on KWBR, sponsored by Burgermeister Beer. After retiring in 1963 with 9,723 career rushing yards, he competed in the Professional Bowlers Association Tour (averaging over 200), served as 49ers scout and assistant, and worked as sales representative for E & J Gallo Winery. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 alongside teammate Leo Nomellini, Perry had his jersey number 34 retired by the 49ers in 1971. He died April 25, 2011 in Chandler, Arizona from dementia complications; autopsy confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).