Joe Perry's Contributions

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Call it divine intervention. It was unbelievable! Like an alchemist converting the basset of metals of pure gold, quarterback Y.A. Tittle, and fullback Joe Perry took full advantage of a miscue—a fumble—as it aided in San Francisco’s comeback win a crucial Western Division game. GAME SETTING: Detroit’s Briggs Stadium...October 1955 in front of 51,438 rained-soaked fans from a hailing storm, as the conditions on the field were far less than favorable—for any team—let alone for a miraculous comeback victory for the visitors from California. The two-minute warning had just been issued, as the clock’s hands slowly circled the dial, and when it displayed 0:00 ending the game, and the Lions would be victorious. The 49ers had trailed by 18, (24-6) …show more content…

Disneyland Fairytale? Divine intervention? Luck? Talent? Let’s take a look at what took place throughout the game that would set the stage and play into the win. Detroit capitalized on halfback, Dickey Moegle’s, first quarter fumble on the opening kick-off and took a quick 7-0 lead. John Henry Johnson added three more fumbles in the slush during the first quarter. Now Joe Perry, became the go-to-guy. Despite falling behind so quickly, San Francisco refused to quit. The Lions built up an insurmountable 24-6 fourth quarter advantage. With only a minute being played in the final quarter, rookie halfback Moegle swept into the end zone on a 10-yard run, cutting the lead margin to 24-13. Moegle’s scamper and the subsequent defensive stand seemed to have ignited the team...and the rally had begun! The following series, 49ers defensive back, Rex Berry, picked-off a Lions’ Harry Gilmer pass, returning the errant throw 44 yards. Following the conversion, the 49ers were down by four, 24-20. The winning drive...behind the weatherproof arm of Tittle, the 49ers drove 57-yards behind the clutching hands of halfback, Hugh McElhenny and end, Billy Wilson, and the churning legs of Perry and Moegle, put the team in position to win the game with 1:50 left on the scoreboard …show more content…

Tittle, talks...how the winning play came about. “On fourth down, I called a play,” said Tittle, “that sent Joe Arenas, faking into the line, as I would leap a jump pass to Soltau, cutting into the left corner of the end zone. Perry was the trailer just in case trouble developed. But, I fumbled the hand off. Perry saw me drop the ball, as he didn't follow Soltau. Perry ran to my left hollering for me to pitch him the ball. I grabbed it and did what he said. He picked it up and ran around the corner past diving defenders to get our winning score. That was all there was to

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