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Donald Montgomery Hutson
Any serious discussion about football’s all time greatest players would have to include Pine Bluff Arkansas native Don Hutson. In 2010, NFL Films named Hutson the #9 Greatest Player of all time; the only player in his era in the top 10 of that list.
Donald Montgomery Hutson was born on Jan. 31, 1913, in Pine Bluff, Ark, one of three sons born to Roy B. Hutson, a conductor on the Cotton Belt Railroad, and his wife, Mabel Clark, a homemaker. He played football only one year, his senior year, at Pine Bluff High School. At that time, he was better known for his collection of pet rattlesnakes. One of Hutson’s high school friends, Bob Seawall, was heavily recruited by Alabama. Seawall’s one condition for accepting a scholarship from Alabama was Hutson also being accepted by the school. Alabama in turn offered Hutson a baseball scholarship. Hutson became a walk-on for the Alabama football team and initially saw little playing time. He eventually became one of the most celebrated Alabama football players ever. Ironically, Bob Seawall dropped out of school after two years. While at Alabama, Hutson was roommate with the legendary Alabama football coach and fellow Arkansan Paul “Bear” Bryant.
After college, Hutson accepted NFL draft letters from both the Green Bay Packers and Brooklyn Dodgers. The NFL President Joe Carr awarded the draft to the Green Bay Packers. Hutson spent his entire 11 season NFL career with the Packers.
Don Hutson’s NFL career was legendary to say the least. He played offense, defense, and special teams. He invented modern pass receiving as a receiver; he intercepted 30 passes over the final six years of his career as safety; he added 172 extra points on 183 attempts and seven field goals on 15 attempts for a league record 823 points as kicker.
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When he retired in 1945, Don Hutson held 18 NFL records. His 99 career touchdown reception record stood for more than 40 years and his 488 career receptions record was more than 200 more than his closest competitor.
DON HUTSON PRO FOOTBALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Most seasons led league, scoring: 5*
- Most consecutive seasons led league, scoring: 5*
- Most touchdowns scored in a quarter: 4*
- Most touchdown receptions in a quarter: 4*
- Most points scored in a quarter: 29*
- Most seasons led league, touchdowns: 8*
- Most consecutive seasons led league, touchdowns: 4*
- Most seasons led league, receiving touchdowns: 9*
- Most consecutive seasons led league, receiving touchdowns: 5*
- Most seasons led league, receptions: 8*
- Most consecutive seasons led league, receptions: 5*
- Most seasons led league, receiving yards: 7*
- Most consecutive seasons led league, receiving yards: 4*
- Most receptions, career: 488
- Most receptions, season: 74
- Most receptions, game: 14
- Most receiving yards, career: 7,991
- Most receiving yards, season: 1,211
- Most receiving yards, game: 209
- Most receiving touchdowns, career: 99
- Most touchdowns, season: 17
- Most touchdowns, game: 4
- Most points scored in a calendar month: 74 (Four games in October 1945)
Many of Don Hutson’s records are still standing. Don Hutson is an inaugural member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and several other Halls of Fame. Don Hutson’s #14 was the first Green Bay Packer number to be retired. The Packers named their state-of-the art indoor practice facility across the street from the legendary Lambeau Field the “Don Hutson Center”. Hutson Park in Pine Bluff Arkansas is named after Don Hutson.
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