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This post was published in Pillars of the NFL by Patrick McCaskey and is Copyright Sporting Chance Press:
Don Hutson
Joining the Packers in 1935 was Don Hutson, a receiver who would go on to break many NFL records in his 11-year Packers’ career. He ran excellent routes—some that he had devised himself. He had subtle moves that fooled defensive players. After playing against Hutson, run-oriented coaches would experience firsthand what the passing game might provide given the right personnel.
Hutson was in a league by himself—he led the NFL nine times in touchdown receptions. In 1942, his 17 touchdown receptions eclipsed the old record by 8 scores. Hutson was also the first receiver to break 1,000 yards when he gained 1,211 that same year.
[Curly] Lambeau scouted Hutson at the Rose Bowl played on January 1, 1935. Hutson’s Alabama team defeated Stanford 29–13. Hutson scored two touchdowns that game and afterwards many teams were in hot pursuit of the young receiver.
Shipwreck Kelly, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, had the inside track after assuring Hutson he would match any offer. However, Lambeau convinced the Hall of Famer Hutson to sign a contract with the Packers when Kelly was nowhere to be found. Immediately after signing the Packer contract, Kelly showed up at Hutson’s doorstep. Kelly convinced Hutson to sign a Dodgers’ contract and allow NFL President, Joe Carr, to settle the issue. Carr ruled in favor of Green Bay, which was a good move for football given Lambeau’s desire to develop a strong passing game that would use Hutson’s talent.
According to Hutson, Lambeau paid him $300 a game, but the coach was concerned about the rest of the players learning the salary so he paid Hutson in two checks and asked him to cash each one at different banks in Green Bay.33 Hutson and Lambeau got along well throughout their entire lives. Lambeau’s preseason preparations and his more disciplined, back to basics approach would pay dividends. The Packers improved to second place in 1935 with an 8–4 record.
33 Richard Whittingham, What a Game They Played: An Inside Look at the Golden Era of Pro Football, 122.
The Packers outscored their opponents by 85 points for the season. In the early days of professional football, players often played a full 60 minutes a game and the same position on offense and defense. Thus an end would play offensive end and then turn around as defensive end as well. Lambeau is credited with modifying this strategy and thereby extending Hutson’s career and effectiveness. Lambeau used Hutson as a defensive back later in his career and used a more durable blocking back to play the physically demanding defensive end position.
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Hutson was in a league by himself—he led the NFL nine times in touchdown receptions. In 1942, his 17 touchdown receptions eclipsed the old record by 8 scores. Hutson was also the first receiver to break 1,000 yards when he gained 1,211 that same year.
[Curly] Lambeau scouted Hutson at the Rose Bowl played on January 1, 1935. Hutson’s Alabama team defeated Stanford 29–13. Hutson scored two touchdowns that game and afterwards many teams were in hot pursuit of the young receiver.
Shipwreck Kelly, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, had the inside track after assuring Hutson he would match any offer. However, Lambeau convinced the Hall of Famer Hutson to sign a contract with the Packers when Kelly was nowhere to be found. Immediately after signing the Packer contract, Kelly showed up at Hutson’s doorstep. Kelly convinced Hutson to sign a Dodgers’ contract and allow NFL President, Joe Carr, to settle the issue. Carr ruled in favor of Green Bay, which was a good move for football given Lambeau’s desire to develop a strong passing game that would use Hutson’s talent.
According to Hutson, Lambeau paid him $300 a game, but the coach was concerned about the rest of the players learning the salary so he paid Hutson in two checks and asked him to cash each one at different banks in Green Bay.33 Hutson and Lambeau got along well throughout their entire lives. Lambeau’s preseason preparations and his more disciplined, back to basics approach would pay dividends. The Packers improved to second place in 1935 with an 8–4 record.
33 Richard Whittingham, What a Game They Played: An Inside Look at the Golden Era of Pro Football, 122.
The Packers outscored their opponents by 85 points for the season. In the early days of professional football, players often played a full 60 minutes a game and the same position on offense and defense. Thus an end would play offensive end and then turn around as defensive end as well. Lambeau is credited with modifying this strategy and thereby extending Hutson’s career and effectiveness. Lambeau used Hutson as a defensive back later in his career and used a more durable blocking back to play the physically demanding defensive end position.
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