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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/The_Throwback_King on 2025-04-06 11:23:29+00:00.
Long before the times of Justin Jefferson, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent, or Lance Alworth. There was player by the name of Don Hutson.
A player’s who’s career pre-dated the formalization of the Wide Receiver position. A player who shattered all previous receiving records, completely re-shaping the receiving game. A player who’s career records took nearly half century to completely surpass.
The number of receiving titles he accrued in his 11-year career is incredible
- 9-Time Rec. TD Leader - (1935-1938, 1940-1944)
- 8-Time Receptions Leader - (1936, 1937, 1939, 1941-1945)
- 7-Time Rec. Yards Leader - (1936, 1938, 1939, 1941-1944)
While he certainly benefitted from a war-depleted league and a Packers team with a trailblazing passing attack, the numbers he put up are still stratospheres above his peers. As such, most NFL fans who’ve studied the deep history of the sport know his name well. Not just for the advancements he made for his position, but simply from how GOOD he was. He still baffles me as a player.
But what I find the most flabbergasting is his 1942 campaign. A herculean effort in all kinds. A receiving campaign that would stand up well in the MODERN NFL season.
74 Receptions, 1,211 Receiving Yards, and 17 Receiving TDs…
…In just 11 games…in 1942.
The runner up in each category? 27 Receptions by Pop Ivy, 571 Yards by Ray McLean, and 8 Receiving TDs also by Ray McClean.
The gap between Hutson and his Runner Ups, if it was hypothetically a player, would’ve been 2nd place in all major categories (47 Receptions, 640 Yards, 9 TDs).
Don Hutson’s statistical lead in 1942 had a better receiving season than 2024 DeAndre Hopkins had.
It’s an outlier on Don Bradman levels.
Oh, and just one more thing…Hutson also finished 2nd in the league for interceptions with 7…
…While also leading the league in Extra Points, in both attempts (34) and Makes (33). With no one else in the finishing above 22 and 21 respectively
All together, with TDs, Extra Points, and a Field Goal combined, Hutson scored a total 138 Points in 1942, no one else had more than 54.
Even to this day, it stands as one of the best single seasons in NFL history in my eyes, and I think more people should know about it.