JimmyC explores the lives and careers of some of his favorite Packers players, coaches, and executives.
Billy Howton
Billy Howton played in the NFL from 1952 to 1963. He was with Green Bay for seven seasons, one with Cleveland, and four with Dallas.
Billy was born in Littlefield, Texas on July 3, 1930. He attended Plainview HS where he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track & Field.
Howton played college football and was on the track team at Rice Institute. He finished his college football career with 64 catches, 1289 yards, and 12 touchdowns on his way to All-American and SWC MVP Awards.
Howton was drafted in the 2nd round by the Packers in 1952. In his rookie year, he caught 53 passes for 1231 yards, averaging 23.2 yards per catch with 13 touchdowns. The yards and touchdowns are franchise rookie records that stand to this day. Howton’s receiving yards were equal to 45% of the Packers’ total passing yards for the entire season. Howton’s thirteen total touchdowns as a rookie was a league record that stood until 1965 when Gale Sayers surpassed his mark with 14. His rookie receiving touchdown record stood until 1998, when it was broken by Randy Moss; a 46 year reign!
Billy had 303 touchdowns and 5581 receiving yards for an 18.4 yard per catch average in his seven year Packers career. Amazing numbers for a player on a team that went 26-56-2 during that time.
In a 1956 42-17 victory over the LA Rams, Howton caught seven passes for 257 yards, setting the Packers’ single game receiving yards record. Howton also had 200 receiving yards in a game in his rookie year, also against the Rams, along with five other games of over 100 yards. Only he and the great Don Hutson have had more than one 200 plus yard game for the Packers. (Hutson had four.)
Howton’s career with the Packers ended with his trade to the Cleveland Browns in 1959 shortly after Vince Lombardi’s arrival. Vince preferred receivers who could block, he would have loved Lazard, but blocking was not one of Howton’s strengths. It has also been speculated that Billy’s involvement in the nascent player’s union may have hastened his departure.
Billy Howton retired after his 1963 season as the All Time NFL career leader in receptions and receiving yards, surpassing Don Hutson. Billy caught 503 passes for 8,459 yards for a 16.8 yard average, and 61 touchdowns, a two time All Pro and four time Pro Bowler. He lead the league in receiving yards twice, in 1952 and 1956, and receiving touchdowns in 1956. Howton’s play was a highlight of what was considered a lost decade for the Packers.
Billy was inducted in the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974.
