By Darin Before the modern era of the wide receiver, there was Don Hutson—the man who essentially invented the position. From his breakout Rose Bowl performance at Alabama to becoming a charter member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, “The Alabama Antelope” set records that stood for decades. Discover the story of the two-time NFL MVP who revolutionized the forward pass and defined the standard for every pass catcher who followed.
Football Bio
January 31, 1913 – Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The fine Alabama End Don Hutson celebrated his birth. The footballfoundation.org site explains how, with great route-running, elusive speed, and smarts, Don Hutson set the standard for pass receivers to come.
Hutson once hauled in six passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns in Alabama’s 29- 13 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Don was an All-America selection in 1934. That season was brilliant for Hutson, as he played signature games, including a 9-yard end-around touchdown that sealed the Tide’s 13-6 victory over Tennessee. In the Clemson game that year, he caught six passes and scored two touchdowns. The National Football Foundation placed Don Hutson into the inaugural College Football Hall of Fame class in 1951, as we discussed just a few days ago.
After leaving Alabama, Hutson played 11 seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He was an all-pro 9 times, led the league in pass receptions 8 times, and led the league in scoring 5 times. Once, his crowning accomplishment was to be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player twice! He finished his pro career with 7991 yards on 488 pass receptions. Don Hutson had no trouble gaining entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Conclusion
Don Hutson didn’t just play the game; he changed its geometry. By combining collegiate dominance with an unparalleled professional career in Green Bay, he proved that a receiver could be the most dangerous player on the field. His legacy as a 9-time All-Pro and multi-time league leader in receptions and scoring cements his status as arguably the greatest pass catcher to ever lace up a pair of cleats. Decades after his retirement, the standards he set for route running and explosive playmaking remain the blueprint for the modern game.
Verified Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Charter Member (Class of 1963).
- College Football Hall of Fame: Charter Member (Class of 1951).
- NFL Most Valuable Player: 2-time winner (1941, 1942).
- All-Pro Honors: 9-time First-team All-Pro.
- NFL Receptions Leader: 8 times.
- NFL Receiving Yards Leader: 7 times.
- NFL Receiving Touchdowns Leader: 9 times.
- NFL Scoring Leader: 5 times.
- Collegiate All-American: 1934 selection at Alabama.
- Rose Bowl Champion: Starred in Alabama’s 1935 victory over Stanford.
- Career Pro Stats: 488 receptions for 7,991 yards and 99 receiving touchdowns.
