Billy Howton

Receptions:	503
Receiving yards:	8,459
Receiving touchdowns:	61

Billy Howton
	1952 Bowman football card
No. 86, 81
Position:	End
Personal information
Born:	July 3, 1930 (age 94); Littlefield, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	191 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:	Plainview (TX)
College:	Rice
NFL draft:	1952 / Round: 2 / Pick: 15
Career history
	Green Bay Packers (1952–1958); Cleveland Browns (1959); Dallas Cowboys (1960–1963);
Career highlights and awards
	2× First-team All-Pro (1956, 1957); 4× Pro Bowl (1952, 1955–1957); 2× NFL receiving yards leader (1952, 1956); NFL receiving touchdowns leader (1956); 2× NFL yards per game leader (1952, 1956); Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame; First-team All-American (1951); First-team All-SWC (1951); Second-team All-SWC (1950);
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:
Receptions:	503
Receiving yards:	8,459
Receiving touchdowns:	61
	Player stats at PFR

William Harris Howton (born July 3, 1930) is an American former professional football player who was an end for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and expansion Dallas Cowboys.^[1]

As a rookie, Howton caught thirteen touchdown passes, a rookie record that was tied but not broken until 1998.^[2] Howton caught a total 503 career passes for a total of 8,459 yards. In doing so, he surpassed then leader Don Hutson to become the all-time leader in receptions and yardage. This made him the first receiver with 500 catches in pro football history. In over a half century since Howton's retirement, the dawn of improved passing has seen him drop into the top 50.

Despite his extensive credentials, he has yet to be named a finalist or semifinalist in Pro Football Hall of Fame balloting. He retired after the 1963 season, after four years with Dallas.^[3] In 2004, he was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good in the association's second HOVG class.^[4]

^ Hendricks, Martin (November 22, 2007). "Howton sparkled during 'Forgettable '50s'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
^ Why has Canton ... and virtually everyone else ... forgotten about Billy Howton? Sports Illustrated
^ "Howton, LeBaron will quit football". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 6, 1963. p. 13, part 2.
^ "Hall of Very Good". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.

[hsdffmjs-1] Hendricks, Martin (November 22, 2007). "Howton sparkled during 'Forgettable '50s'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2016.

[2] Why has Canton ... and virtually everyone else ... forgotten about Billy Howton? Sports Illustrated

[hlbwqfb-3] "Howton, LeBaron will quit football". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. December 6, 1963. p. 13, part 2.

[4] "Hall of Very Good". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]