Legendary WR Billy Howton’s Untold Legacy: Packers and Cowboys Mourn Football Icon at 95

This story will be updated.

“We are saddened by the passing of Billy Howton,” the NFLPA said in a post on X. “He was a key figure in the NFLPA’s formation & a pioneer for player rights. Because of Billy’s advocacy as our first president, today’s players have a pension, disability benefits & a voice of their own in the business of football.”

Legendary Green Bay Packers wide receiver Billy Howton has died, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was 95 years old. Howton was a founder and the first president of the NFL Players Association.

It’s tough to swallow when you lose a legend — especially someone like Billy Howton, whose footprint on the NFL runs deep beyond just the gridiron. The Green Bay Packers’ star wide receiver passed away at 95, leaving behind a legacy not only of jaw-dropping catches but of fierce leadership as the inaugural president and a key founder of the NFL Players Association. His relentless fight for player rights paved the road for many benefits athletes now take for granted — pensions, disability protections, and a real say in their careers. The NFLPA’s tribute says it all: Billy was a pioneer who reshaped the game’s business forever. This isn’t just history — it’s a powerful reminder of what one person’s courage can do in a world resistant to change. LEARN MORE