Green Bay Packers: 5 Greatest receivers in franchise history

1. Don Hutson

This may be all you need to know to be convinced Don Hutson is the greatest Green Bay Packers receiver of all-time: Hutson averaged a touchdown catch every five receptions over his career. At the time of his retirement, he had three-times as many touchdown receptions (99 career touchdowns) as anyone in the first 25 years of NFL history.

Simply put, Hutson was the most dominant player of his era.

It took 44 years after he retired for his career touchdown mark to be broken, eventually eclipsed by Seahawks receiver Steve Largent. Some regard Hutson as the best receiver of all-time — yes, even over Jerry Rice — simply because of the sheer dominance during his time period. He helped guide the Packers to three NFL Championships, along with racking up 488 receptions for 7,991 yards and 99 touchdowns.

Hutson’s best season came in 1942, when he recorded 74 receptions for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns. His statistics for his era were unprecedented. He was named a First Team All-Pro selection eight times, along with being a four-time Pro Bowler.

Hutson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. His jersey number (No. 14) is one of just six numbers to have been retired by the Packers franchise. Green Bay’s indoor practice facility is even named after him (Don Hutson Center).