Joe Perry

Lore & Background

Perry was born in Stephens, Arkansas, and grew up in Los Angeles after his family moved there during the Great Depression. He played college football at Compton Junior College in 1944, scoring 22 touchdowns. He then enlisted in the Navy during World War II and played football for Naval Air Station Alameda. He was scouted by the Los Angeles Rams but signed with the San Francisco 49ers of the AAFC for $4,500, becoming the team's first African-American player.

He earned his nickname when quarterback Frankie Albert exclaimed, "You're like a jet, Joe." Perry faced racial abuse and discrimination but received strong support from his teammates. He was featured in the "Million Dollar Backfield" with Hugh McElhenny, John Henry Johnson, and Y. A. Tittle. He made three straight Pro Bowl appearances and in 1954 was named the NFL MVP by the United Press.

He was the first player in the NFL to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, doing so in 1953 and 1954. Perry retired in 1963 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. His jersey number 34 was retired by the 49ers in 1971.

Reader's Guide

Perry stood 6 ft tall and weighed 200 lb, small for a typical fullback. He was a straight-ahead runner combining power and speed with deceptive elusiveness. His role was primarily as a ball carrier, and he had a knack for finding holes. He ran the 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds in 1947. He led the AAFC in rushing touchdowns in 1948 and 1949, and in rushing yards in 1949. In the NFL, he led the league in carries, rushing yards, rushing yards per game, and yards from scrimmage in both 1953 and 1954. He surpassed Steve Van Buren for first place on the NFL's all-time rushing yards list in 1958.

Did You Know?

• Perry was the first African-American to be named NFL MVP by a media award (United Press) in 1954.
• He scored on a four-yard run in an East vs. West college all-star game in January 1948.