Billy Howton, a prolific wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the pre-Super Bowl era who also founded the NFL Players Association and served as its first president, has died. He was 95. His death in Houston on August 4 was confirmed by Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home.
A second-round pick in 1952, Howton immediately established himself as a premier talent, becoming the first rookie in NFL history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. During his seven seasons in Green Bay, he earned four Pro Bowl selections, was a three-time All-Pro, and scored the first receiving touchdown at Lambeau Field in 1957. He still holds the franchise’s single-game record with 257 receiving yards, set in 1956, and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974.
When Howton retired in 1963, he was the NFL’s all-time leader in both receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459). His prowess was widely respected, with Hall of Fame safety Emlen Tunnell calling him “the toughest pass receiver to cover in the National League” before the 1958 season.
After his tenure with the Packers, Howton was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1959. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys for their inaugural season in 1960, playing under coach Tom Landry and with quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith until his retirement.
Born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930, Howton was believed to have been the oldest living NFL player. Before his professional career, he was a college All-American at Rice University and is a member of the Rice Hall of Fame.
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