Stepping onto the turf as a first-round pick (6th overall) out of Stanford in 1978, James Lofton brought track-star speed and an extraordinary vertical leaping radius to Green Bay. The NCAA long jump champion wasted no time establishing himself as the premier big-play target in Titletown, hauling in 46 receptions for 818 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie to earn his first of seven Pro Bowl selections with the franchise.

Lofton’s brilliance defined Green Bay’s high-flying passing attack throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Between 1980 and 1985, he recorded five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in six years, highlighted by a dominant stretch alongside quarterback Lynn Dickey. In 1983 and 1984, Lofton led the NFL in yards per reception in back-to-back seasons, averaging an astounding 22.4 and 22.0 yards per catch—including a career-high 1,361 receiving yards in 1984. Opposing secondaries simply could not contain his stride, forcing teams to roll safety help over the top or risk giving up instant long-distance scores, such as his career-long 83-yard touchdown run on a reverse against the Giants in 1982.

His durability in Wisconsin was just as remarkable as his speed; Lofton never missed a single game due to injury across his nine seasons in Titletown, starting 135 of 136 regular-season games. After departing Green Bay following the 1986 campaign, he continued stretching defenses for the Raiders, Bills, Rams, and Eagles. During his run in Buffalo, he remained a potent deep threat for a team that reached three consecutive Super Bowls, ultimately becoming the first receiver in league history to cross the 14,000-career-receiving-yards mark. His long-standing achievements in Green Bay earned him induction into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1999, followed by his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.  He was also chosen for the 1980s All-Decade Team.

Statistically, as a Packer, he compiled 530 receptions, 9,656 receiving yards, 49 receiving touchdowns, and 180 rushing yards with one touchdown.