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3 legendary NFL wide receivers who played in the wrong era

By Russell S. Baxter

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth (19), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1978, makes a catch in front of two defenders, including Houston Oilers cornerback Zeke Moore (22) during a 31-31 tie on October 25, 1970, at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth (19), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1978, makes a catch in front of two defenders, including Houston Oilers cornerback Zeke Moore (22) during a 31-31 tie on October 25, 1970, at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images) /
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San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth (19), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1978, is congratulated by former Green Bay Packer Don Hutson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 1963. During the game, a 45-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills on December 14, 1969, at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California, Alworth eclipsed Hutson’s career mark of 95 games with a reception. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth (19), inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1978, is congratulated by former Green Bay Packer Don Hutson, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of 1963. During the game, a 45-6 victory over the Buffalo Bills on December 14, 1969, at San Diego Stadium in San Diego, California, Alworth eclipsed Hutson’s career mark of 95 games with a reception. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images) /

NFL wide receivers from the wrong era: 1. Don Hutson

Talk about ahead of his time? Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Hutson played for the Green Bay Packers for 11 seasons from 1935-45. To put that in perspective, he entered the National Football League one year before the first draft. The former University of Alabama performer owns numbers that to this day are still among the best in league annals. It was little wonder that he was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Inaugural Class of 1963.

Those 11 campaigns added up to four Pro Bowl invitations, eight All-Pro accolades, and NFL titles in 1936, 1939, and 1944. Keep in mind that the focus here is on his play as a receiver. Among his many skills was the fact that he totaled 30 interceptions as a defender.

Back to the offense. His pass-catching resume added up to 488 catches for 7,991 yards (16.4 average) and an astounding 99 touchdown grabs in only 116 regular-season contests. Hutson never caught fewer than six TD passes in any season. His incredible 1942 campaign saw him catch 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 scores in 14 games.

Perhaps no number stands out more than this. Hutson’s 99 TD grabs still rank 11th in league history and his first season was 1935. That’s 40-plus years before any of the other 10 players ahead of him made their NFL debut. Fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Largent (1976) would be next in line. Incredible.

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