San Francisco 49ers pioneer, Joe Perry, passed away peacefully in Arizona Monday morning from complications due to dementia at the age of 84. Nicknamed "The Jet" for his exceptional speed, ...

San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Perry in Moraga, Calif., on August 6, 1956.. (By Lonnie Wilson / Oakland Tribune) San Francisco 49ers running back Joe Perry on herton, CA July 19, 1954.

Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed "The Jet" for his sensational speed, died Monday. He was 84.

As Joe Perry burst through tacklers while playing for the Alameda Naval Air Station Hellcats, John Woudenberg watched spellbound as if he had uncovered a 49ers gold mine. It was 1947 and the 20 ...

Joe “The Jet” Perry, the Hall of Fame running back who broke barriers as the first African-American to play for the 49ers, died at 84 of complications from dementia on Monday in Chandler, Ariz.

Joe Perry, 84, one of the first African American stars of professional football, whose superb running for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s led him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died April ...

"I was deeply saddened to hear of Joe Perry's passing earlier today," 49ers owner John York said. "He was a dear friend to my family and me and to the entire 49ers organization.

Joe Perry, knows as "The Jet," when he played with the 49ers, is shown in this August 1964 photo with 49ers teammate, Leo Nomellini. Perry died in Arizona of complications from dementia.

Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed ''The Jet'' for his sensational speed, died Monday. He was 84. The San Francisco 49ers ...

Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed ''The Jet'' for his sensational speed, died Monday. He was 84. The San Francisco 49ers ...

Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed "The Jet" for his sensational speed, died Monday. He was 84.