[FarmDad.01]

Early in this thread, I nominated Gale Sayers. Of those named in the intervening posts, I second LaDainian Tomlinson. Both were (relatively) slender backs who ran upright and utilized unworldy lateral quickness to avoid crunching tackles, yet could be effective squeezing inside the tackles. I've come up with another candidate whom geezers like me might remember seeing live: UDub All-American and longtime 49er All-Pro "Hurrying Hugh" McElhenny. A profile I read in the late 1950s said McElhenney had the rare talent to cut without a crossover step; that he could suddenly veer right by driving hard off his inner left leg. Is this humanly possible? I also have a distinct memory of watching McElhenny stutter-step with high knee pumps (as McCaffrey did recently) to juke a NYGiant tackler. A final bit of trivia -- Hugh, now approaching age 88, is related to the Louisiana family that makes Tabasco sauce.

[FarmDad.01]

Early in this thread, I nominated Gale Sayers. Of those named in the intervening posts, I second LaDainian Tomlinson. Both were (relatively) slender backs who ran upright and utilized unworldy lateral quickness to avoid crunching tackles, yet could be effective squeezing inside the tackles. I've come up with another candidate whom geezers like me might remember seeing live: UDub All-American and longtime 49er All-Pro "Hurrying Hugh" McElhenny. A profile I read in the late 1950s said McElhenney had the rare talent to cut without a crossover step; that he could suddenly veer right by driving hard off his inner left leg. Is this humanly possible? I also have a distinct memory of watching McElhenny stutter-step with high knee pumps (as McCaffrey did recently) to juke a NYGiant tackler. A final bit of trivia -- Hugh, now approaching age 88, is related to the Louisiana family that makes Tabasco sauce.