Billy Howton, a Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer and the initial president of the NFL Players Association, passed away on Monday at the age of 95. Sources indicated he was considered the NFL’s oldest living former player, as reported by The Associated Press.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Billy Howton’s passing,” the NFLPA conveyed in a statement published on X on Friday. “He was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the NFLPA and a forerunner in advocating for player entitlements.
“Billy’s dedication as our first president made possible the pension funds, disability allowances, and self-representation opportunities available to players today.”
Notably, Howton acted as the Packers’ representative at the very first NFLPA Board of Player Reps assembly in December of 1956. According to the NFLPA website, Howton presented a roster of complaints at that gathering, including his teammates’ appeal for fresh towels, T-shirts, socks, and athletic supporters for the latter half of their twice-daily training camp sessions.
From 1956 to 1961, Howton was present at every NFLPA player representative meeting, and he was chosen as the NFLPA’s inaugural president in 1958. The following year, he championed what eventually became the Bert Bell NFL Player Retirement Plan, thereby securing a retirement income system for the players.
In 1961, while still actively playing, he resigned from his position as NFLPA president. However, he remained engaged as an NFLPA delegate on the pension board until 1970, even after his retirement.
Born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930, Howton was a student at Rice University, where he distinguished himself as an All-American wide receiver. The Packers selected him in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft.
Howton quickly became a league sensation upon reuniting with his former college quarterback, Tobin Rote. As a rookie, he topped the NFL charts with 1,231 receiving yards, catching 53 passes and scoring 13 touchdowns. In 1956, Howton once again led the league in receiving yards, amassing 1,188 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The following season, the 6-foot-2 wideout caught the inaugural touchdown pass at the venue now recognized as Lambeau Field. Later that year, he established a Packers single-game record with 257 receiving yards versus the Los Angeles Rams.
Howton’s NFL career spanned 12 years, during which he also played for the Cleveland Browns (1959) and Dallas Cowboys (1960-63). At the time of his retirement, he held the league’s all-time records for career receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459). Since then, these records have been surpassed.
Howton was enshrined in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1974. He continues to be an integral component of the team’s heritage, as well as that of the NFLPA.
