Billy Howton, believed to be the oldest living NFL player, died at 95. Howton, who was the NFL’s first president of the Player’s Association, passed away “peacefully” according to his obituary.
“Bill Howton, husband, father, brother and good friend, passed away peacefully Monday, August 4, 2025 in Houston, Texas after a long and lucky life,” his obituary said.
Howton had an illustrious NFL career spanning from 1952-1963. As a rookie with the Green Bay Packers, he led the entire league in receiving with 1,231 yards, an especially impressive feat considering the NFL at the time was a run-first league.
He’d have just one more 1,000-yard campaign in 1956, when he caught 55 passes for 1,188 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the league once again in both receiving yards and touchdowns that year, being named to one of his four career Pro Bowls.
Over 12 seasons with the Packers, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, Howton would haul in 503 passes for 8.459 yards and 61 touchdowns.
Howton was laid to rest in a private ceremony.
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