Today’s card of the day is a 1952 Bowman Large card of Bill Howton. Howton played in the NFL from 1952 to 1963, so this is a true rookie card. He played end for seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, one with the Cleveland Browns, and four for the expansion Dallas Cowboys.
Howton started his career with a bang, leading the league with 1231 receiving yards (in a 12-game season) in 1952. He again led the league in receiving yards in 1956, with 1188. By the time he retired in 1963, he held the NFL record for career receptions and career receiving yards.
Sadly, Howton played on only one winning team–the 1959 Browns–and he never played in a playoff game. He made the Pro Bowl four times, however, and he was named First Team All-Pro in 1956 and 1957. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974.
You can see all of Bill Howton’s football cards in the Gallery.
