NFL player Billy Howton, renowned as one of the oldest surviving athletes, passes away at the age of 95
Former Green Bay Packers Star and NFL Pioneer Billy Howton Passes Away at 95
Billy Howton, a legendary professional football wide receiver and a trailblazer in player advocacy, has passed away at the age of 95. The news of his death was confirmed by the Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home on Friday.
Born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930, Howton embarked on an illustrious career in the National Football League (NFL) that spanned from 1952 to 1963. His journey began when he was drafted as a second-round selection by the Green Bay Packers.
In his rookie season, Howton made history by becoming the first NFL rookie with a 1,000-yard receiving season, recording an impressive 1,231 yards. This feat established him as a force to be reckoned with in the pre-Super Bowl era.
Howton spent seven years with the Packers, during which he set numerous franchise records. He holds the record for the most receiving yards in a single game (257), a feat he achieved in a 1956 game against the Los Angeles Rams. He also boasts multiple 200-yard receiving games, a testament to his exceptional skills on the field.
In 1958, Howton became a founder and the first president of the NFL Players Association, playing a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of players' labor rights.
After seven years in Green Bay, Howton was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1959 and then to Dallas as a member of the Cowboys' inaugural team in 1960. He spent the rest of his career in Dallas, playing for coach Tom Landry with quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith.
Howton's contributions to the NFL were not limited to his on-field performances. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and twice led the league in receiving yards (1952 and 1957). When he retired in 1963, Howton was the NFL's all-time leading receiver in receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459), a record that stood for several years. He also held the record for the most touchdown receptions by a rookie (13), a record that was broken in 1998.
Off the field, Howton was recognised for his academic achievements. He was an All-American at Rice University and was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame in 1971. In 1974, he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Howton's influence extends beyond the football field. As the first president of the NFL Players Association, he was a pioneer in player advocacy, paving the way for future generations of athletes. His legacy will continue to be celebrated in the annals of NFL history.
Rest in peace, Billy Howton. Your contributions to the game of football and player advocacy will never be forgotten.
[1] NFL.com [2] ESPN [3] Pro Football Hall of Fame [4] Packers.com [5] Rice Athletics
In his early NFL career, Billy Howton played American football as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, where he set numerous franchise records and made history by being the first NFL rookie with a 1,000-yard receiving season. Later in his career, he also played for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, but his influence in the league went beyond the field when he became the founding president of the NFL Players Association.
