Perry was born in Stephens, Arkansas in 1927. He attended Compton Junior College in California and then transferred to Arizona State University. He was drafted by the 49ers in 1948 and played for them for nine seasons. During his time with the 49ers, he was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and was named All-Pro five times. He was also the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
In 1957, Perry was traded to the Baltimore Colts, where he spent the remainder of his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three more times and was named All-Pro twice. He was also the first player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards in a career.
Perry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. He was also named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
Throughout his career, Perry was known for his speed and agility, as well as his ability to break tackles and make big plays. He was also known for his durability, as he played in every game for the 49ers and Colts during his 16-year career. He is considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and is remembered for his contributions to the game.
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