.The Green Bay Packers sent shockwaves through the NFL and their own fanbase when they traded two-time All-Pro Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Of course, they had no choice given the fact that Adams was going to refuse to play under the franchise tag. With Adams gone, many national pundits and rival fans (and even some Packers fans) expected the Packers’ passing game to plummet. However, through three weeks, the Packers are 2-1 and rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs is turning heads. He is fresh off of winning the NFC Rookie of the Week award for his eight receptions, 73 yards, and touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has obviously earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers and is primed for a huge season. But will he have the best season ever by a Packers rookie wide receiver?
8 receptions, 73 yards & his first career TD 🙌@RomeoDoubs is the NFL Rookie of the Week! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/usFNkqp5dC
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 29, 2022
Meet Billy Howton, the Unknown, Underappreciated Packers Great
If Romeo Doubs is to have the greatest rookie season by a Packers wide receiver, he will be chasing the great Billy Howton. Though many, including Hall of Fame voters, have forgotten Howton, he was the BEST wide receiver in the NFL in his day and ended his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459).
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The Green Bay Packers drafted Howton out of Rice Institute in Houston, Texas in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft. Part of the reason Howton is forgotten by modern fans is because his tenure with the Packers came at a low point in the franchise’s history. During his seven years with the Packers, the team was 26-56-2. That being said, there was no other wide receiver who was as dominant at the time than Billy Howton.
Billy Howton Set Packers Rookie Records in 1952
The 1951 Green Bay Packers finished just 3-9. Billy Howton was drafted in tHohe second round, partially due to the comparisons he drew to Packers legend Don Hutson. Eventually, Howton would break Hutson’s reception and receiving yards records, proving that these comparisons were warranted.
Howton led the Green Bay Packers with 53 receptions, 1,231 yards, and 13 touchdowns as a rookie in 1952. All three were franchise rookie records at the time. His 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns still stand as Packers records. Sterling Sharpe broke his record for receptions by a rookie with 55 in 1988.
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Not only were those numbers special for Packers lore in 1952, they were also among the best in the NFL at the time. In fact, Howton led the NFL in receiving yards, and receiving yards per game (102.1). He was named to the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro.
Billy Howton’s Legacy in Green Bay and the NFL
Billy Howton played seven of his 12 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers. At the time of his departure, he was second in team history in receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns (all behind Don Hutson). By the time that Vince Lombardi traded Howton the the Cleveland Browns, Howton had career numbers of 303 receptions, 5,581 yards, and 43 touchdowns. Many believe that Howton’s role as the first President of the NFL Players’ Union was the reason behind the trade.
Howton played one season for the Browns, catching 39 passes for 510 yards and a touchdown. He planned to retire at the end of the season. However, the expansion Dallas Cowboys convinced him to come back and play in his home state. They traded a draft pick to the Browns in exchange for his rights. In four seasons with the Cowboys, Howton added 161 receptions for 2,368 yards and 17 touchdowns. In doing so, he ended his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
The Green Bay Packers inducted Billy Howton into their Hall of Fame in 1974. Howton had two games with 200+ receiving yards as a Packer. Only Don Hutson (four) had more. The two are the only Packers wide receivers ever to have more than one game with 200 or more receiving yards.
Fun Facts about Billy Howton
- The first player ever to catch a touchdown in what is now Lambeau Field. (Stadium was dedicated on September 29, 1957; Howton the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 21-17).
- The first rookie in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards on pass receptions.
- Still holds the Packers record for most receiving yards in a game (257 on October 21, 1957 vs the Rams).
- At 92 years old, Howton is believed to be the oldest living Packers player.
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