Packers star Billy Howton dies at 95

Billy Howton, a Packers star and early NFL wide receiver, has died at 95.

Packers star Billy Howton dies at 95

Billy Howton, a former Green Bay Packers star, died in Houston at age 95. He was a prolific pass catcher in the era before the Super Bowl and a founder of the NFL Players Association.

Drafted in 1952, Howton became the Packers first 1000 yard receiver with 1231 yards in his rookie season. He led the league in receiving yards twice, earned four Pro Bowl nods and was a two time All Pro. He still holds Green Bay's single game record with 257 receiving yards in a 1956 game against the Rams. When he retired in 1963 he was the NFLs all time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974 and later played for the Browns and Cowboys.

Howton stands as an early example of a pass heavy approach and a model for later receivers. His rookie year 1231 yards shows a rapid shift in what a rookie could achieve. His role as a founder of the NFL Players Association shows the players voice expanding beyond the field.

His death also invites a look at how many players from the 1950s and 60s built a lasting legacy that sticks even as the game changes. It reminds readers that the league's history is shaped by figures who pulled on both talent and leadership.

Highlights

Howton’s story shows that talent and leadership can shape a league.