January 14, 1940

On January 14, 1940, the 1939 NFL champion Green Bay Packers met an All-Star team consisting of players from the 9 other NFL clubs in the second NFL All-Star game in history. The game was played before 18,000 fans at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles. The teams were evenly matched except for one thing: Don Hutson. The All-Stars were led by Philadelphia’s Davy O'Brien and the Giants’ Mel Hein and coached by New York’s Steve Owen. The Packers were coached by Curly Lambeau.

In the first quarter, Clark Hinkle kicked a 45 yard field goal to give the Packers a 3-0 lead. Midway through the second quarter, Ernie Smith dropped kicked an 18 yard field goal and the Pack led 6-0. With :38 to go in the first half the Packers had the ball on their own 2 yard line. Cecil Isbell surprised everyone by launching a pass from behind his own goal line. Isbell wound up and heaved the ball 65 yards in the air, Don Hutson caught the ball at the All-Star 35 and raced to the end zone for the decisive touchdown. According to All-Star quarterback Davey O'Brien, "On that long one yesterday he judged it beautifully. When he went past midfield, he stole a peek and saw he was ahead of the ball. So he slowed down, slowed down so slowly the defenders wouldn't notice it. Then, all of the sudden, he went into high gear, swept away from them, and took the ball in full, wide-opened stride at the 35 yard line."

Early in the third period, O’Brien returned a Packer punt 28 yard to the Pack 17 yard line on a sensational, slashing run. O’Brien then hit Eagle teammate Joe Carter on a 6 yard touchdown strike. The score was 13-7. Late in the third, the Packers picked up three more points when they drove to the Stars’ 18 and Smith hit his second field goal of the afternoon. The final score was 16-7.

Following the game, All-Star coach Owens said, "There is no defending Hutson. We put two men on him, just as every other team in the league does, and two men aren't enough. He's a genius."

Probably, noone will ever better Hutson's 98 yard reception

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