Arnie Herber Arnold " Arnie " Charles Herber ( April 2 , 1910 – October 14 , 1969 ) was a professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants . He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 . He attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison for one year before transferring to Regis College . Before the NFL . Herber was born in Green Bay , Wisconsin and was a Packers fan from a young age , all while starring at local West High School in football and basketball . After attending college for a few years to no notoriety , Herber came back to Green Bay and worked in the Club House as a handyman . Coach Curly Lambeau gave Herber a try - out and Herber joined a team that was currently dominating the NFL . Green Bay Packers career . Green Bay had posted an undefeated 12 - 0 - 1 record and won the NFL title the year before Herber was on the roster . In his first year , 1930 , the Packers continued their success and won another title with Herber playing tailback in the famous Notre Dame Box formation . In 1931 , with Herber throwing more than usual for that era to early greats like John " Blood " McNally , the Packers reeled off nine straight wins to start the season and held on to win a third straight title . No other team in NFL history , besides the Packers themselves in the 1960s , has won three consecutive titles . The NFL didn ' t start keeping statistics until 1932 — when they did that year , Herber finished as the top passer in the league with 639 yards and nine touchdowns . He won the passing title again in 1933 with 799 yards and eight touchdowns . But Herber reached his peak as a pro starting in 1935 with the arrival of Don Hutson . Hutson , the league ' s first true wide receiver , changed the game with his graceful moves , precise patterns , and superb hands . Herber , who loved to throw the ball long , was a perfect fit for Hutson ' s talent . Hutson ' s first NFL reception was an 83 - yard touchdown pass from Herber on the first play of the game when the Packers beat the Chicago Bears , 7 - 0 . In 1936 , Herber and Hutson rewrote ( temporarily ) the NFL passing - receiving record book . Herber tossed a record 177 passes for a record 1239 yards , and 11 touchdowns . Hutson set new records with 34 catches , 526 yards receiving , and eight touchdowns , all marks he would soon improve . Green Bay finished 10 - 1 - 1 and went to the NFL title game , which they won 21 - 6 over the Boston Redskins . In that game , Green Bay passed for 153 yards and Herber threw two touchdowns , one to Hutson . Sharing time with another great passer , Cecil Isbell , Herber led the Packers to the title game again in 1938 and 1939 . In the 1938 championship , Green Bay lost to the New York Giants 23 - 17 despite another touchdown pass from Herber . In 1939 , Green Bay avenged that loss with a 27 - 0 drubbing of the Giants . Herber threw for another touchdown in the 1939 title game . In 1940 , Isbell began to get more playing time than Arnie , so Herber retired after 11 seasons with Green Bay . New York Giants career . Herber came back to the draft - depleted NFL in 1944 , answering a call to play for the New York Giants . Herber threw sparingly but efficiently , for 651 yards and six touchdowns . As usual for Herber - led teams , the Giants won their conference and went to the title game . Herber ' s old squad , the Packers , still featuring Don Hutson , beat the Giants 14 - 7 . Herber played one more forgettable season with the Giants and then retired for good . Legacy . Overall , Herber passed for 8 , 041 yards , 81 touchdowns , and 106 interceptions . He led his teams to four NFL championships . He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1967 . Herber was the first great long thrower in the NFL and his success paved the way for truly " modern " quarterbacks Sammy Baugh and Sid Luckman . Herber was said to hold the ball with his thumb on the laces , a peculiarity shared by Sammy Baugh . It was his work with Don Hutson , however , that made him a legend and assured his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame .