Billy Howton William Harris " Billy " Howton ( born July 5 , 1930 ) is a former American football end who played 12 seasons in the National Football League ( 1952 - 1963 ) . He played college football at Rice University . He caught a total 503 career passes for a total of 8 , 459 yards . In doing so , he surpassed then leader Don Hutson to become the all - time leader in receptions and yardage ( Since then his ranking has fallen to below 50 . ) Despite this , he has yet to be name a finalist in Pro Football Hall of Fame balloting . He retired in 1963 after four years with the Dallas Cowboys . He caught 13 touchdown passes in his 1952 rookie season . On October 21 , 1956 , Howton caught seven passes for a total of 257 yards against the Los Angeles Rams . Early years . He attended Plainview high school where he lettered in football , basketball and track and field . Howton signed with Rice University where he was nicknamed " Red Fox " not only for his hair color , but also for the way he ran pass patterns , which made him a great offensive end , establishing a season record for average yards ( 22 . 6 ) on pass receptions . At the 1948 track and field regional meet in Lubbock , he had a time of 14 . 3 in the high hurdle event , setting a record that stood for several decades . In 1951 he won the high hurdle event in a track meet against the Texas A & M Aggies . He was also was a notable runner in the low hurdles . In 1951 he finished his college football career with 64 catches for 1 , 289 yards and 12 touchdown s , on his way to earn the following honors : In 1971 he was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame . Professional career . Green Bay Packers . He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft . As a rookie he earned immediate comparisons with hall of famer Don Hutson , with his speed , sure hands , and big - play ability . He established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL , with a league leading 1 , 231 receiving yards . He also set a rookie record with 13 touchdown s , which would last until 1965 when the total number was broken by Gale Sayers . While his touchdown reception mark lasted until 1998 , when it was broken by Randy Moss . Howton became one of the most successful wide receivers in Packers history , while playing seven seasons in losing teams ( 26 - 56 - 2 ) . During his seven years in Green Bay , he lead his teams in receiving yards six straight seasons ( 1952 - 57 ) , led the league in receiving yards 2 times ( 1952 and 1956 ) and touchdown s receptions once ( 1956 ) . He caught 303 passes for 5 , 581 yards with an 18 . 4 yard average , scored 43 touchdown s and earned All - Pro in two seasons ( 1956 - 57 ) and Pro Bowl honors in four seasons ( 1952 and 1955 - 57 ) . He set team records that still stand today : Howton was named the Packer ' s player representative and president of the NFL Players Association in 1958 , and played a major role in establishing a pension fund for players , which was a debated topic with club owners at the time . In 1959 the Packers hired Vince Lombardi after the team ' s worst record ever - 1 - 10 - 1 , who eventually traded him to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive end Bill Quinlan and halfback Lew Carpenter . Through the years , there has been speculation that his NFL Players Association ties were the real reason behind the trade . In 1974 he was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame . Cleveland Browns . Howton played only one season in Cleveland , leading the team in receptions with 39 , and experiencing what would be the only winning campaign of his NFL career . At the start of the 1960 season , he notified the Browns his intentions to retire . The Dallas Cowboys convinced him to play in his home state and traded a draft choice to the Bowns in exchange for his rights . Dallas Cowboys . Howton was acquired by the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960 . That season the Cowboys recorded only a tie , which came against the NY Giants at Yankee Stadium on Dec . 4 , when a late touchdown pass from Eddie LeBaron to Howton finalized a 31 - 31 comeback , against a team that had made championship game appearances in three of the previous four years . The first win in franchise history came during the 1961 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers , 27 - 24 , with Howton contributing a game - high 138 receiving yards and a touchdown . During his time with the Cowboys he remained a key starter in a league leading offense , that was composed by Eddie LeBaron , Don Meredith , Don Perkins , Frank Clarke , Dick Bielski and Lee Folkins . Howton led the Cowboys in receiving in 1961 ( with a career high of 56 catches ) and again in 1962 . On Sept . 29 , 1963 , he became the NFL ' s all - time receiving leader , after breaking Don Hutson ' s record for career receptions and receiving yards . He retired after playing in 12 seasons with 503 catches , 8 , 459 yards and 61 touchdown s .