Don Hutson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hutson joined the Packers in 1935 and played 11 seasons before retiring in 1945. He led the league in receiving yards in seven separate seasons and in receiving touchdowns in eight seasons. He also led the NFL in interceptions in 1940, becoming the only player to lead the league in receiving touchdowns and interceptions in the same season. Hutson was an eight-time All-Pro, a four-time All-Star, and awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy as NFL MVP in 1941. He is considered the first modern wide receiver and created many modern pass routes. He was the first 1,000-yard receiver in the NFL, doing so in only 11 games. He held almost all major receiving records at retirement, including career receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was inducted as a charter member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His number 14 was the first jersey retired by the Packers. He is a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and was selected to the NFL 50th, 75th, and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across City Stadium in late November, biting through wool jerseys and leather helmets. Hutson lined up on the right end, eyes locked on Lambeau's signal. The ball spiraled through the gray sky, a perfect arc against the freezing backdrop. He caught it one-handed near the sideline, boots slipping slightly on the hard-packed turf before planting firmly. No crowd noise mattered now; only the rhythm of the game and the cold breath visible in the air.

Reader's Guide

Hutson was born on January 31, 1913, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He played one year of football at Pine Bluff High School and was an all-state basketball player. He played end for coach Frank Thomas's Alabama Crimson Tide from 1932 to 1934. In the 1935 Rose Bowl, he had six catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He signed with the Packers before the NFL draft existed; NFL president Joseph Carr awarded him to Green Bay because their contract had an earlier date. Hutson chose the Packers because they offered $300 a game. His first catch was an 83-yard touchdown pass from Arnie Herber in 1935. He led the league in touchdown receptions in nine seasons. In 1941, he became the first receiver to catch 50 passes in a season. In 1942, he caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns, the first 1,000-yard receiving season. He retired after the 1945 season.

Did You Know?

• Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns in eight seasons and in interceptions in 1940, the only player to lead in both categories in the same season.
• He was the first NFL receiver to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season, doing so in 1942.
• Hutson's 99 career touchdown receptions stood as the NFL record for 44 years until Steve Largent broke it in 1989.
• He was awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy as NFL MVP in 1941.