The Green Bay Packers have had many outstanding receivers in their history. From Don Hutson to Boyd Dowler, James Lofton, Sterling Sharpe, and Davante Adams, the Pack has had many game-changing wideouts. But one Packers receiver who is often overlooked still holds the Packers franchise record for most receiving yards in a game with 257. Billy Howton did that that on seven catches in 1957 and the record still stands 67 years later. The Packers won that record-setting game over the Los Angeles Rams, 42-17.
This Packers Record Still Stands After Seven Decades: The Leadup
The Packers and Rams both entered the game with 1-2 records and needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive in a 12-game season. The Pack was fresh off a 38-33 upset over the Baltimore Colts and were led by quarterback Tobin Rote. Rote was backed up by rookie, 17th-round draft pick, Bart Starr who threw one pass in relief the previous game. The Rams lost their last game to the Detroit Lions 24-21 and were led by Hall of Fame head coach Sid Gilman.
A crowd of 24,200 fans packed Milwaukee County Stadium for this game but few of them realized they were about to see history.
The First Half
The Rams put the first points on the board on their opening drive. They led 7-0 after a 15-yard touchdown run by Tank Younger.
The Packers answered quickly, though. Rote led Green Bay on a seven-play, 68-yard drive that was helped by a personal foul penalty that helped keep the drive alive. Rote found Howton on a 36-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7 which is where the score stood after the first quarter.
The Packers ended a Rams drive at the end of the first quarter when Val Joe Walker intercepted a Billy Wade pass intended for “Crazy Legs” Hirsch deep in Green Bay territory.
In the second quarter, Rote continued his outstanding day. He connected with Howton twice on the drive, one for 38 yards and another for 14. The drive ended on a 14-yard pass to tight end Gary Knafelc that put the Packers up 14-7.
A trick play increased the Green Bay lead when halfback Jack Losch threw a 63-yard, wobbly touchdown pass to Howton who ran it in for a score. A late field goal by the Rams left the score 21-10 Green Bay at intermission.
This Packers Record Still Stands After Seven Decades: The Second Half
An interception by Dave Forester set up the Packers next score, another 14-yard pass to Knafelc. Another Rams penalty on a third-down incompletion kept the drive alive and the Pack led 28-10.
The Rams scored on a 26-yard pass from Rudy Bukich to Leon Clarke to pull to within 28-17 after three quarters, but the Packers clinched the win on two fourth quarter scores. The first was a two-yard run by Rote and the final score of the game came on a two-yard run by Fred Cone.
By the end of the game, Howton finished with seven catches for 257 yards and two scores. The old Packers record of 237 was set by Hutson back in 1943. Rote completed 16-of-31 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. The Packer gained 492 total yards on offense.
[What] “Rote and Howton did together was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen,” said Packers head coach Lisle Blackbourn. “It was a real fine team deal too, but individually, that was something to see.”
The Packers defense also played well, forcing five turnovers including four interceptions.
Billy Howton and His Legacy
Howton’s special day remains the most receiving yards any Packers receiver had in a game. He spent seven years with the Packers, from 1952 until 1958. Howton made four Pro Bowls and was named All Pro twice. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 1952 and 1956 and receiving touchdowns in 1956 with 12 in 12 games. He also caught the first touchdown pass in Lambeau Field in 1957.
Vince Lombardi didn’t think Howton was a good enough blocker, so he traded him to the Cleveland Browns before the 1959 season for defensive end Bill Quinlan and halfback Lew Carpenter. After one year with the Browns, Howton finished his career playing four seasons for the expansion Dallas Cowboys.
When he finished his NFL career after the 1963 season, he was the NFL’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards. He was into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974 but has never been selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
“I’ll tell you a guy who is overlooked is Billy Howton,” said Hall of Fame receiver Raymond Berry. “[Howton] was extremely professional in his pass routes. He knew what he was doing to maneuver and fake to get open. He would be effective going inside, going outside, effective going deep. [And] he was an extremely dangerous receiver and had great technique.”
And 67 years after it happened, Howton still holds the Packers record for most receiving yards in a game.
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