Don Hutson: The Greatest NFL Player of All Time?

Don Hutson is considered by many to be the greatest NFL player of all time. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at his career and try to determine if he really is the GOAT.

Introduction

In the history of the National Football League, there have been many great players. But there is only one player who can truly be called the greatest of all time: Don Hutson.

During his 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers, Hutson redefined the game of football. He was the first player to catch 50 touchdown passes, and he did it in just 50 games. He also set the NFL record for most receptions in a season (99) and most receiving yards in a season (1,211). In 1942, he became the first player to gain over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a single season.

Hutson was an incredible athlete. He was also a superb passer, blocker and tackler. In an era when players both offense and defense, he was truly a one-of-a-kind player. His accomplishments on the gridiron earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

So is Don Hutson the greatest NFL player of all time? There is no definitive answer, but there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest players to ever step on a football field.

Early Life and College Career

Don Hutson was born on January 31, 1913, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was the fifth of six children born to Isaac and Cleoma Hutson. His father was a mule driver and his mother was a domestic worker. When Don was eight years old, his family moved to Elba, Alabama, where he would live for the rest of his life.

Don Hutson began his football career at Elba High School. He played on the school’s varsity team for three years and was chosen as a first-team All-State player in his senior year. Hutson then attended the University of Alabama, where he played for the Crimson Tide from 1932 to 1934. He was chosen as a first-team All-American in both his junior and senior years and was also voted the team’s most valuable player in 1934.

After graduating from college, Hutson briefly considered pursuing a career in medicine. However, he decided instead to pursue a professional career in football and signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1935.

NFL Career

Don Hutson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on January 1, 1913. He played college football at the University of Alabama, and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1935 NFL Draft. Hutson was an immediate success in the NFL, leading the league in receptions and yardage in his rookie season. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, setting numerous league records and helping the Packers win four NFL Championships.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers selected Hutson with the first overall pick in the 1935 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons with the Packers, winning four NFL championships (1936, 1939, 1944, and 1961) and two Super Bowls (I and II). Hutson was an eight-time All-Pro selection and five-time Pro Bowler

Accomplishments

Don Hutson is widely considered to be the greatest NFL player of all time. During his 11-year career with the Green Bay Packers, Hutson redefined the wide receiver position. He was the first player to ever catch 50 passes in a season and his 84 career touchdown receptions stood as an NFL record for nearly 50 years.

But Hutson’s impact on the game went far beyond his statistical accomplishments. He was also a superb defensive player and an outstanding punt returner. In fact, he is one of only two players in NFL history to score touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams in the same game.

Hutson was such a complete football player that it is difficult to even compare him to other greats at his position. His closest rival, Jerry Rice, didn’t even come close to matching Hutson’s career statistics. And while Rice played in an era with far more passing than Hutson’s day, there is no doubt that Hutson would have been just as successful had he played in today’s NFL.

Post-NFL Career

Don Hutson’s NFL career ended in 1945, but he remained active in the sport. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947 to 1949. In 1950, he became head coach of the University of Alabama’s football team. He coached the team for one season, leading them to a 6-2-1 record. He then returned to the Rams as an assistant coach from 1951 to 1953.

Hutson was also active in business. He was a co-founder of the NFL Players Association and the first president of the American Football Coaches Association. He also held various positions with several companies, including vice president of sales for Schick Razor Company and president of Don Hutson Enterprises, Inc.

In his post-NFL career, Hutson was widely recognized as one of the greatest players in football history. In 1974, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1999, The Sporting News named him the greatest wide receiver of all time. In 2010, he was named by Bleacher Report as one of the 50 Greatest NFL Players of All Time.

Conclusion

Don Hutson is often considered the greatest NFL player of all time. He was a dominant receiver in an era when the forward pass was still developing. He set numerous records that stood for decades, and many of his records still stand today. He was named to the NFL’s All-Time Team, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.