Billy Howton, a star wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the 1950s and the first president of the NFL Players Association, has died. He was 95.
According to an online obituary, Howton passed away Monday in Houston. Born in 1930, he was believed to be the NFL’s oldest living player.
Howton was the league’s all-time leader in receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459) when he retired after a 12-year career with the Packers (1952-58), Cleveland Browns (1959) and Dallas Cowboys (1960-63). He caught 61 touchdowns in 142 games.
Drafted in the second round (15th overall) in 1952, Howton led the NFL with 1,231 receiving yards as a rookie that season and added 13 touchdowns in 12 games. He earned the first of four Pro Bowl selections.
Howton topped the league in receiving yards (1,188) and touchdown catches (12) in 1956, earning the first of two consecutive All-Pro first-team honors.
On Oct. 21, 1956, he set the Packers’ still-standing franchise record with 257 receiving yards in a 42-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field.
Howton was inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1974 and Rice University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971.
As Green Bay’s player representative, Howton helped to found the NFLPA in 1956 and served as the organization’s first president from 1958-61.
“We are saddened by the passing of Billy Howton,” the NFLPA wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “He was a key figure in the NFLPA’s formation & a pioneer for player rights. Because of Billy’s advocacy as our first president, today’s players have a pension, disability benefits & a voice of their own in the business of football.”
We are saddened by the passing of Billy Howton. He was a key figure in the NFLPA's formation & a pioneer for player rights. Because of Billy's advocacy as our first president, today's players have a pension, disability benefits & a voice of their own in the business of football. pic.twitter.com/8Ya20DJNTD
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) August 8, 2025
–Field Level Media
