Cecil Isbell, the number one draft choice of the Green Bay Packers in 1938, helped refine passing in the NFL. In his fifth season, 1942, the 6’1”, 190-pound Isbell led the NFL in passing with 2,021 yards and 24 touchdowns. Isbell threw touchdown passes in 23 consecutive games in 1941 and ‘42.

Isbell teamed with Don Hutson to form a dynamic passing combination. He threw a 92-yard pass to Hutson in 1939. “We felt we could move with the pass anywhere on the field,” said Isbell. “And we could.”

He retired after the 1942 season, after just five seasons with the Packers. Isbell coached at Purdue, then became head coach of the Baltimore Colts in the All American Football Conference from 1945-49.