Don Hutson
Encyclopedia
Donald Montgomery Hutson (January 31, 1913 – June 26, 1997) was the first star wide receiver
in National Football League
history. He is considered by many to have been the first modern receiver.
In his senior season at the University of Alabama
in 1934, Hutson was a first team All-American
for six different organizations and a second team selection by one other. After his career at Alabama, he joined the Green Bay Packers
in 1935 and retired in 1945 after 11 seasons.
Hutson is credited with creating many of the modern pass
routes used in the NFL today. He was the dominant receiver of his day and is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, holding almost all important receiving records at the time of his retirement. As of the end of the 2009 NFL season, Hutson still holds the following records: Most seasons leading league in pass receptions (8), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receptions (5), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (7), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (4), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (9), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (5), Most seasons leading league in scoring (5), and Most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (5) (Source: NFL Record and fact book).
of the Packers saw Hutson as the perfect receiver for his passing attack, which at the time was headed by quarterback Arnie Herber
and end Johnny "Blood" McNally
.
Before the draft existed, college players could sign with any team they wanted, and while Hutson did sign a contract with Green Bay, he had also signed a contract with Brooklyn, and both contracts came to the NFL office at the same time. NFL president Joseph Carr
declared that Hutson would go to Green Bay, as the Green Bay contract had an earlier date of signing.
Fans of the Packers received a preview of things to come in Hutson's first game. On his first-ever play, Hutson caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from Arnie Herber
. It was the first of 99 receiving touchdowns, an NFL record that would stand for 44 years after his retirement. Steve Largent
broke Hutson's record in 1989, although 3 of Largent's 100 touchdown receptions came against replacement players. Hutson's single season record of 18 touchodown receptions in 1942 stood for 42 years until broken by Mark Clayton
in 1984, a year in which Miami's quarterback Dan Marino
had more completions (362) then the entire 1942 Packers team's pass attempts (330).
Hutson became the key component to the Packers lethal offensive attack, as the Packers won the NFL title in Hutson's second year, 1936, beating the Boston Redskins 21-6. The Packers went on to win two more titles during Hutson's career, in 1939 and 1944. Hutson shocked the fans of Green Bay in 1945 when he announced his retirement after playing 11 seasons. He stayed with the Packers as an assistant coach in 1946, but then left the organization.
In an era when successful passing attacks were virtually unheard of, Don Hutson and the Green Bay Packers flourished via the air. Hutson held 18 major NFL records at the time of his retirement, several of which stood for decades; some have yet to be broken.
Twice, in 1941
and 1942
, he was named the league's MVP. In 1941 Hutson became the first receiver to catch more than 50 passes in a season, and the next year he became the first with over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In all, Hutson caught 488 passes for 7,991 yards. He rushed for three touchdowns and returned three interceptions for touchdowns for a career total of 105. Hutson led the NFL in receptions eight times in his 11 seasons, including five consecutive times (1941–1945). He led the NFL in receiving yards seven times, including four straight times from 1941-44. He led the NFL in scoring five times (1941–45). Hutson still holds the highest career average TDs per game (0.85) for a wide receiver.
s and 7 field goals
for another league record, 823 points. He led the league in extra points made and attempted in 1941, 1942 and 1945 and in field goals made in 1943.
As did almost all players in his day, Hutson played both offense
and defense
. On defense, Hutson was a very good safety who intercepted 30 passes over the final six years of his career. Hutson's highest season total was in 1943, when he intercepted eight passes in only 10 games. In 1940, he led the NFL with 6 interceptions.
Hutson has been honored in a variety of ways. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
in 1951. His number 14, was the first number retired by the Packers (in a public ceremony at a game at City Stadium)
on December 2, 1951. Hutson Street in the Packerland Industrial Park in Green Bay is named for him, and in 1994 the Packers named their new state-of-the-art indoor practice facility across the street from Lambeau Field
the "Don Hutson Center
". Hutson was inducted as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1963, and he is a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
. Current and former Packer executives, such as Bob Harlan
and Ron Wolf
, have traditionally referred to Hutson as the greatest player the game has known. There is a park named after him in his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
.
Super Bowl XXII
was dedicated to Hutson on the occasion of his 75th birthday. He performed the ceremonial coin toss to end the pregame ceremonies.
In 1999, he was ranked sixth on The Sporting News
list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking Packer and the highest-ranking pre-World War II
player.
In 2005, the Flagstad family of Green Bay donated to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame an authentic Packers #14 jersey worn by Hutson. The jersey was found in a trunk of old uniforms in 1946 at the Rockwood Lodge
, the Packers' summer training camp from 1946 to 1949, owned by Melvin and Helen Flagstad. The jersey, a rare NFL artifact valued at over $17,000, was donated by son Daniel Flagstad in memory of his parents.
Most sportswriters and football enthusiasts consider Jerry Rice
the best receiver ever, but a few critics believe Hutson could have been as good as Rice if he'd played in the same era. Hutson played in an era where the run dominated the game, the pass interference
rule favored defenses, and players played both offense and defense. Rice's career touchdown reception record of 197 almost exactly doubled Hutson's 99 TD receptions. Yet Rice played 20 seasons in the modern pass-friendly NFL with 16 regular season games, plus playoffs. In comparison, Hutson played 11 seasons in an era of 10-12 games per season, and when there was a championship game but no playoffs. Hutson's record 99 TD receptions stood for 44 years, not being broken until well into the modern era.
referred to himself as the "other End" on the University of Alabama football team that had both Bryant and Hutson. That Crimson Tide team won the Rose Bowl
in 1935 by beating Stanford 29-13 with Hutson catching 6 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
in National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
history. He is considered by many to have been the first modern receiver.
In his senior season at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in 1934, Hutson was a first team All-American
1934 College Football All-America Team
The 1934 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1934 college football season...
for six different organizations and a second team selection by one other. After his career at Alabama, he joined the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in 1935 and retired in 1945 after 11 seasons.
Hutson is credited with creating many of the modern pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
routes used in the NFL today. He was the dominant receiver of his day and is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, holding almost all important receiving records at the time of his retirement. As of the end of the 2009 NFL season, Hutson still holds the following records: Most seasons leading league in pass receptions (8), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receptions (5), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (7), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (4), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (9), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (5), Most seasons leading league in scoring (5), and Most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (5) (Source: NFL Record and fact book).
Wide receiver
When he graduated from Alabama, Hutson was not highly regarded by several NFL teams because of his thin stature. Many coaches felt that he would not be able to handle the rigors of football, but Curly LambeauCurly Lambeau
Earl Louis "Curly" Lambeau was founder, player, and first coach of the Green Bay Packers professional American football team...
of the Packers saw Hutson as the perfect receiver for his passing attack, which at the time was headed by quarterback Arnie Herber
Arnie Herber
Arnold "Arnie" Charles Herber was a professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966...
and end Johnny "Blood" McNally
John McNally
John Victor "Blood" McNally was an American football player who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.-Early life:...
.
Before the draft existed, college players could sign with any team they wanted, and while Hutson did sign a contract with Green Bay, he had also signed a contract with Brooklyn, and both contracts came to the NFL office at the same time. NFL president Joseph Carr
Joseph Carr
Joseph "Joe" F. Carr was the president of the National Football League from 1921 until his death in 1939. Carr was born in Columbus, Ohio. As a mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Columbus, he directed the Columbus Panhandles football team in 1907 until 1922...
declared that Hutson would go to Green Bay, as the Green Bay contract had an earlier date of signing.
Fans of the Packers received a preview of things to come in Hutson's first game. On his first-ever play, Hutson caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from Arnie Herber
Arnie Herber
Arnold "Arnie" Charles Herber was a professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966...
. It was the first of 99 receiving touchdowns, an NFL record that would stand for 44 years after his retirement. Steve Largent
Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002...
broke Hutson's record in 1989, although 3 of Largent's 100 touchdown receptions came against replacement players. Hutson's single season record of 18 touchodown receptions in 1942 stood for 42 years until broken by Mark Clayton
Mark Clayton
Mark Gregory Clayton is a former American football wide receiver who played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins, entering the league in 1983 with the Dolphins and playing there until 1992. He finished out his career with the Green Bay Packers, playing a single season with them in 1993...
in 1984, a year in which Miami's quarterback Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
had more completions (362) then the entire 1942 Packers team's pass attempts (330).
Hutson became the key component to the Packers lethal offensive attack, as the Packers won the NFL title in Hutson's second year, 1936, beating the Boston Redskins 21-6. The Packers went on to win two more titles during Hutson's career, in 1939 and 1944. Hutson shocked the fans of Green Bay in 1945 when he announced his retirement after playing 11 seasons. He stayed with the Packers as an assistant coach in 1946, but then left the organization.
In an era when successful passing attacks were virtually unheard of, Don Hutson and the Green Bay Packers flourished via the air. Hutson held 18 major NFL records at the time of his retirement, several of which stood for decades; some have yet to be broken.
Twice, in 1941
1941 NFL season
The 1941 NFL season was the 22nd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, Elmer Layden was named the first Commissioner of the NFL, while Carl Storck resigned as league president....
and 1942
1942 NFL season
The 1942 NFL season was the 23rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, many players left for service in World War II, thus depleting the rosters of all the teams....
, he was named the league's MVP. In 1941 Hutson became the first receiver to catch more than 50 passes in a season, and the next year he became the first with over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In all, Hutson caught 488 passes for 7,991 yards. He rushed for three touchdowns and returned three interceptions for touchdowns for a career total of 105. Hutson led the NFL in receptions eight times in his 11 seasons, including five consecutive times (1941–1945). He led the NFL in receiving yards seven times, including four straight times from 1941-44. He led the NFL in scoring five times (1941–45). Hutson still holds the highest career average TDs per game (0.85) for a wide receiver.
Defense and special teams
For many of his 11 seasons, Hutson was also the Packers' kicker. He added 172 extra pointExtra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
s and 7 field goals
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
for another league record, 823 points. He led the league in extra points made and attempted in 1941, 1942 and 1945 and in field goals made in 1943.
As did almost all players in his day, Hutson played both offense
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
and defense
Defense (sport)
In many team sports, defense or defence is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring. The term may also refer to the tactics involved in defense, or a sub-team whose primary responsibility is defense...
. On defense, Hutson was a very good safety who intercepted 30 passes over the final six years of his career. Hutson's highest season total was in 1943, when he intercepted eight passes in only 10 games. In 1940, he led the NFL with 6 interceptions.
Honors and recognition
Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame is a promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to honoring distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. New members are honored at a biennial banquet.-History:...
in 1951. His number 14, was the first number retired by the Packers (in a public ceremony at a game at City Stadium)
City Stadium (Green Bay)
City Stadium is a football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It served as home of the Green Bay Packers of the NFL from 1925 to 1956. It remains the home of the Green Bay East High School football team...
on December 2, 1951. Hutson Street in the Packerland Industrial Park in Green Bay is named for him, and in 1994 the Packers named their new state-of-the-art indoor practice facility across the street from Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field...
the "Don Hutson Center
Don Hutson Center
The Don Hutson Center is the indoor practice facility of the Green Bay Packers. Located across the street from Lambeau Field, it was built in 1994 at a cost of $4.7 million.The center is named after Don Hutson, who played for the Packers from 1935 to 1945...
". Hutson was inducted as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1963, and he is a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame was the first hall of fame built to honor a single professional American football team. After receiving approval from coach Vince Lombardi, William L. Brault, a Green Bay restaurateur and Packers fan, founded the Hall of Fame in 1966...
. Current and former Packer executives, such as Bob Harlan
Bob Harlan
Robert E. "Bob" Harlan is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers, an American professional football team. He is a graduate of Marquette University, where he was the Sports Information Director for many years...
and Ron Wolf
Ron Wolf
Ron Wolf is the former American football general manager of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. He also played a significant role in personnel operations with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1963–1975, and again from 1978–1990...
, have traditionally referred to Hutson as the greatest player the game has known. There is a park named after him in his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
.
Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII was an American football game played on January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1987 regular season...
was dedicated to Hutson on the occasion of his 75th birthday. He performed the ceremonial coin toss to end the pregame ceremonies.
In 1999, he was ranked sixth on The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking Packer and the highest-ranking pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
player.
In 2005, the Flagstad family of Green Bay donated to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame an authentic Packers #14 jersey worn by Hutson. The jersey was found in a trunk of old uniforms in 1946 at the Rockwood Lodge
Rockwood Lodge
Rockwood Lodge was the training facility of the Green Bay Packers from 1946 through 1949. It is believed to have been the first self-contained team training facility in pro football history....
, the Packers' summer training camp from 1946 to 1949, owned by Melvin and Helen Flagstad. The jersey, a rare NFL artifact valued at over $17,000, was donated by son Daniel Flagstad in memory of his parents.
Most sportswriters and football enthusiasts consider Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
the best receiver ever, but a few critics believe Hutson could have been as good as Rice if he'd played in the same era. Hutson played in an era where the run dominated the game, the pass interference
Pass interference
In American and Canadian gridiron football, pass interference is a penalty that occurs when a player interferes with an eligible receiver's ability to make a fair attempt to catch a forward pass. Pass interference may include tripping, pushing, pulling, or cutting in front of the receiver or...
rule favored defenses, and players played both offense and defense. Rice's career touchdown reception record of 197 almost exactly doubled Hutson's 99 TD receptions. Yet Rice played 20 seasons in the modern pass-friendly NFL with 16 regular season games, plus playoffs. In comparison, Hutson played 11 seasons in an era of 10-12 games per season, and when there was a championship game but no playoffs. Hutson's record 99 TD receptions stood for 44 years, not being broken until well into the modern era.
The Other End in the Rose Bowl
Bear BryantBear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...
referred to himself as the "other End" on the University of Alabama football team that had both Bryant and Hutson. That Crimson Tide team won the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
in 1935 by beating Stanford 29-13 with Hutson catching 6 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.