Fansided

20 best wide receiver seasons in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXIV on January 28, 1990 at the Super Dome in New Orleans, LA. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 55-10. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXIV on January 28, 1990 at the Super Dome in New Orleans, LA. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 55-10. (Photo by Focus on Sport/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) /

9. Don Hutson, Packers (1942)

He was nothing short of incredible. Green Bay Packers’ end Don Hutson was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s charter class of 1963. Incredibly, his 99 touchdown receptions in 116 regular-season contests over 11 seasons remains 11th in NFL annals. This despite the fact that his last game in the league came back in 1945.

He finished his career with 488 catches, good for 7,991 yards. Those were the days of the multi-purpose performer as he also saw duty as a defensive back and a kicker.

In 1942, the former University of Alabama played in 11 games and not only amassed career-highs in receptions (74) and touchdown catches (17), both league-leading totals, he amassed 1,211 receiving yards. It made him the first player in the league’s very brief history to total at least 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

That figure would remain the league standard until Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch racked up 1,495 yards for the Rams in 1951.

Interesting enough, the Packers finished 8-2-1 that year but there would be no postseason for “Curly” Lambeau’s team. For what it’s worth, Hutson was also successful on 33 PAT attempts and totaled four interceptions for 71 yards that season.

Next: No. 8

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