From Rice University, Tobin Rote was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, but in '50 the Pack was not very good, and wouldn't be for years.  Green Bay's ineptitude wasn't Rote's fault; he proved to be an excellent QB, but he didn't have many teammates at his level.  He was also a solid rusher, especially early in his career.  For those who dismissed Rote in 1956, on what was still a mediocre Packers team, he led the NFL in Passing Yards and Completions and threw a then-record 29 Touchdown Passes.  Despite that great season, the Packers traded him to Detroit, where he began the season sharing Quarterback duties with Bobby Layne, but he was clearly the main pivot on a team that would win the 1957 NFL Championship.

Sadly, Rote and the Lions had a disastrous 1959 season, and when he was released, he went north to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he did well, but American football called again, and he joined the San Diego Chargers.  At age 35, he had the best season of his life, leading the AFL in Passer Rating (86.7) and taking his new team to a championship while winning the AP MVP.  He would play another year in San Diego and a final one in Denver in 1966.

It can't be dismissed that Rote's decision to play in Canada hurt his overall chances, but this is one of the most underrated Quarterbacks not only of his day but of all-time.

You would think that the one-time All-Time Leader in NFL receptions would have at least been a finalist for the Hall of Fame.  Of course, Billy Howton was the all-time leader when he retired in 1963.  He has dropped considerably since then.

Billy Howton was one of the top receivers for the Green Bay Packers throughout the 1950s.  He was a constant fixture for years in every receiving category, and when he became the all-time leader in receptions and yards, he took that slot from the legendary Don Hutson.

A huge force works against him as he was cast off from the Green Bay Packers when the most iconic figure in professional football, Vince Lombardi, arrived in the tundra.  Many speculated that if he wasn’t good enough for Lombardi, he couldn’t possibly be good enough for Canton.  That is a very powerful argument.  While we acknowledge that fact, Howton helped lay the groundwork for today's modern Wide Receivers, and that also can't be dismissed.