Billy Howton, a star pass-catcher and 1974 inductee to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, died at the age of 95 on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Howton, a second-round pick of the Packers in 1952, was a two-time AP All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. He played 80 games for the Packers during his first seven NFL seasons (1952-57) and eventually retired in 1963 as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, passing Don Hutson in both categories. During his Packers career, Howton caught 303 passes for 5,581 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Howton led the NFL in receiving yards during his rookie season and broke Hutson’s franchise record for receiving yards in a single season. He also led the NFL in receiving yards during the 1956 season and later set the Packers franchise record for receiving yards in a game with 257 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Vince Lombardi traded Howton to Cleveland in 1959.
Howton finished his NFL career with 503 catches for 8,459 yards and 61 touchdowns, nearly unmatched numbers from his generation of pass-catchers.
Among Howton’s career achievements:
- Caught first ever touchdown pass at Lambeau Field in 1957
- First-ever NFL rookie to have 1,000 receiving yards (1,231 in 1952)
- Four-time Pro Bowler (1952, 1956-58)
- Two-time AP All-Pro (1956-57)
- NFL receiving yards leader (1952, 1956)
- First NFL player to 500 career receptions
- First NFL player to 8,000 receiving yards
More on Howton’s career at the Packers Hall of Fame website.
