The Green Bay Packers are regarded as the NFL‘s most successful franchise. The team has featured in the NFL for 100 years now. It also holds the record of the most championships won, having emerged winners 13 times. Sports betting fans taking part in District of Columbia online gambling know a thing or two about the Packers. After the passing of rules and regulations legalizing sports betting, things are starting to move in the Nation’s Capital. For instance, many Packers’ players have featured in the great Hall of Fame, including Don Houston, Paul Hornung, Johnny McNally, Herb Adderley, and Willie Wood.
On their way to becoming a top-rated franchise, The Packers have had many historic firsts. In this article, you will read about ten Packers’ firsts that you possibly don’t know.
First player to pass 3000 yards
Name: Lynn Dickey
Year: 1980
It might be unbelievable, but the Packers never had a 3000 yard passing season until Lynn Dickey broke that curse in 1980. Even though the Packers finished 5-10-1 in that year, it marked the beginning of the best years of Lynn Dickey’s illustrious career. He went on to throw 3000 yards or more in a season two more times.
First Player to Top 100 Points in One Season
Name: Don Hutson
Year: 1942
Don Hutson is still remembered as one of the most dominant players in the NFL. In 1942, Hutson had one of the best seasons of his career. Popularly known as the “Alabama Antelope,” he scored 138 points in an 11-game season. In addition, he scored 17 touchdowns, kicked one field goal, and scored 33 extra points.
First Player to reach 1000 Passing yards in a Season
Name: Don Hutson
Year: 1942
Hutson managed another first in his best season. In the 11 matches he played, he caught 74 passes for 1211 yards and 17 touchdowns. He went more than 100 yards receiving in six games, including a pair of 200 plus yard games.
First 200 Yard Rushing Game
Name: Ahman Green
Year: 2003
No Packers’ runner had gained 200 yards in a game until Green managed it in the 2003 season finale. His 218-yard effort helped his team overcome the Broncos 31-3. The big gain came as a 98-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that put the Packers 24-3 ahead. That was also the longest run in the Packers’ history.
First 400 Yard Passing Game
Player: Don Horn
Year: 1969
Packers drafted Don Horn as heir apparent to Bart Starr. Even though he never filled Starr’s Hall of Fame shoes, he became the first Packers quarterback to throw for 400 plus yards in a single game. Moreover, he did it almost ten years before the NFL revised the rules to favor the passing game. During the final week of the 1969 season, Don completed 22 out of 31 passes for 410 yards. He also managed five touchdowns helping his team to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 45-28.
First season with 30 or more touchdown Passes
Name: Lynn Dickey
Year: 1983
The Packers were known for their prolific passing. However, no quarter in their history had thrown more than 30 touchdown passes in a season. Once again, it was Lynn Dickey making history in 1983 when he threw for 32 touchdowns.
First Season with 100 or More Catches
Name: Sterling Sharpe
Year: 1992
Before an injury that cut short his career in 1992, Sterling Sharpe was on course to the NFL Hall of Fame. In 1992, he became the first Packers player to manage more than 100 catches. He caught 108 passes for 1461 yards and managed 13 touchdowns. His 108 catches also became the new NFL record for a single season.
First Season with 10 or More Interceptions
Name: Irv Comp
Year: 1943
Comp is the first and only Packers player to intercept ten passes in one season. In 1943, he only played nine games but still managed to pick off 10 passes, returning them for 149 yards and one touchdown.
First Packers Player to Top the NFL in Rushing
Name: Jim Taylor
Year: 1962
Jim Taylor is the only Packers player to have led the NFL in rushing. He ran for 1474 yards and 19 touchdowns in the Packers’ 1962 championship season. He was also named the league’s MVP in that season.
First Player to Rush for 1000 Yards
Player: Tony Canadeo
Year: 1949
Before 1934 no NFL player had rushed 1000 yards. However, the Packer did not have one until 1949, when Tony Canadeo gained 1052 yards in 12 games.