Don Hutson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hutson joined the Packers in 1935 and played 11 seasons before he retired in 1945. He led the league in receiving yards in seven separate seasons and led the league in receiving touchdowns in eight seasons. A talented safety on defense, he also led the NFL in interceptions in 1940. He is not the only player to lead the league in receiving touchdowns and interceptions in the same season. Hutson was an eight-time All-Pro selection, a four-time All-Star, and was twice awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy as the NFL Most Valuable Player. He is considered to have been the first modern wide receiver and is credited with creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today. 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 the time of his 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. Hutson's 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 National Football League 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, to the 75th in 1994, and to the 100th in 2019.

In Their Own Story

Hutson's first catch as a professional was on an 83-yard touchdown pass from Arnie Herber on the first play from scrimmage against the Chicago Bears, in the second game of the 1935 season. It was the only score of the game as the Packers won 7–0. In 1942, Hutson shattered most of his own records; he caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns and averaged over 110 receiving yards per game. This was the first time a receiver had reached the 1,000 yard milestone. He again received six of nine first place votes for the Joe F. Carr Trophy. His production helped Cecil Isbell become the first NFL quarterback to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season. In 1944, he led the Packers to the NFL Championship Game against the Giants and caught two passes for 47 yards, as the Packers won their third and final championship with Hutson, 14–7.

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 at end for coach Frank Thomas's Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 1932 to 1934. In the 1935 Rose Bowl, he had six catches for 165 yards, including two touchdowns of 54 and 59 yards. He was recognized as a first-team All-American by six different organizations. He signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1935. His first catch as a professional was an 83-yard touchdown pass from Arnie Herber. He led the league in touchdown receptions in nine seasons. He was awarded the Joe F. Carr Trophy in 1941 and 1942. He retired after the 1945 season.

Did You Know?

• Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns in eight seasons.
• He was an eight-time All-Pro selection.
• His record of 99 touchdown receptions stood for 44 years, until surpassed by Steve Largent in 1989.
• Hutson was the first receiver to catch 50 passes in a season, doing so in 1941.