Joe Perry, the 49ers fullback who was once pro football’s career leader in rushing yards, has died at the age of 84.
Perry played started playing for the 49ers in 1948, when they were a part of the All-America Football Conference. The AAFC went under and the 49ers moved to the NFL in 1950, and Perry would stay in San Francisco until 1960. He played the 1961 and 1962 seasons in Baltimore before returning to the 49ers for one final season in 1963.
With the 49ers Perry twice led the NFL in rushing, and in 1958 he broke Steve Van Buren’s record for most career rushing yards. Perry’s record was later eclipsed by Jim Brown.
Counting the two AAFC seasons, Perry ran 1,929 times for 9,723 yards and 71 touchdowns and added 260 catches for 2,021 receiving yards and 12 more touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.