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Latest Breaking News

Omaha Steve

(106,750 posts) Fri Aug 8, 2025, 01:55 PM Aug 8

Packers star Billy Howton, believed to have been the oldest living NFL player, dies at 95

Source: AP

Updated 12:07 PM CDT, August 8, 2025

HOUSTON (AP) — Billy Howton, a former Green Bay Packers star regarded as one of the most productive wide receivers of the pre-Super Bowl era who was a founder and the first president of the NFL Players Association, has died. He was 95.

Howton died in Houston on Monday, according to an obituary. Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home confirmed his death on Friday.

Howton was born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930. He was believed to have been the oldest living NFL player.

Howton scored the Packers’ first receiving touchdown at Lambeau Field in 1957. He was a second-round selection by the Packers in 1952 and became the first NFL rookie with a 1,000-yard receiving season after recording 1,231 yards that year. He led the league in receiving yards twice, was named to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/packers-nfl-billy-howton-dies-fe1ef682a1db159f81d08107e1fee431

I'm a Packer fan, BTW.

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Packers star Billy Howton, believed to have been the oldest living NFL player, dies at 95 (Original Post) Omaha Steve Aug 8 OP

Good story. I am an NFL fan and used to be a Steeler fan. twodogsbarking Aug 8 #1

Thanks for the OP. He was before my time but I have to say... brush Aug 8 #2

Shows that the life expectancy of an NFL player ain't great, if he was the oldest muriel_volestrangler Aug 8 #3

RIP area51 Aug 9 #4

twodogsbarking

(15,158 posts)

1. Good story. I am an NFL fan and used to be a Steeler fan.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Fri Aug 8, 2025, 02:00 PM

Aug 8

A shame he didn't live to see, you know, the world's largest party.

brush

(61,010 posts)

2. Thanks for the OP. He was before my time but I have to say...

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Fri Aug 8, 2025, 02:10 PM

Aug 8

Over 1200 yards in a season back then is quiite impressive as in the '50s the seasons were only 12 games IIRC.

muriel_volestrangler

(104,405 posts)

3. Shows that the life expectancy of an NFL player ain't great, if he was the oldest

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Fri Aug 8, 2025, 04:33 PM

Aug 8

A smaller league back then, I know, but still, as far as I can tell, when he joined in 1952 it was 13 teams. They must have taken on at least 4 new players each, every year (probably a lot more, since some would have short careers). Call it 60 new players every year.

Compare that with moon astronauts - since Jim Lovell died today too, and they're about the same ages. Lovell was the oldest of the 24 orbiters or walkers left alive - aged 97. Mostly born between 1928 and 1936, so between 2 and 3 a year.

https://science.nasa.gov/moon/moon-walkers/

Still left from the 24 are Aldrin (about 95), Scott (93), Duke (90), Schmitt (90), and Haise (92).

area51

(12,405 posts)

4. RIP

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sat Aug 9, 2025, 11:20 PM

Aug 9

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