Top 4 NFL Punt Return Leaders in NFL History
When it comes to NFL punt return leaders, a few legendary names stand out. Players like Devin Hester, Deion Sanders, and Eric Metcalf were renowned for their punt return prowess, consistently finding ways to navigate defenses and score.
Devin Hester holds the record for the most punt return touchdowns in NFL history, solidifying his legacy as one of the best return specialists of all time.
Top NFL Punt Return Leaders: Legendary Playmakers Who Changed the Game
1. Devin Hester
Hester is widely regarded as the greatest punt returner in NFL history. Known for his speed and field vision, Hester set the league ablaze with his ability to take punts to the house.
Over his career, Hester returned 14 punts for touchdowns, an NFL record. His punt return abilities made him one of the most feared players by opposing special teams, and his return prowess played a significant role in his team’s success.
Hester’s most famous punt return moment came during the 2006 season when he became the first player in Super Bowl history to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown. While that was a kickoff return, it underscored his game-changing abilities in the return game overall.
Hester’s combination of speed, agility, and football intelligence allowed him to outmaneuver entire defenses, making him the top punt returner of all time on most NFL fans’ lists.
2. Eric Metcalf
Metcalf was a dynamic player who could impact the game in multiple ways, but he was particularly known for his punt return skills. Over his 13-year NFL career, Metcalf returned ten punts for touchdowns, tying him for second on the all-time list.
Despite not being the most well-known NFL player, his quickness and elusiveness made him a nightmare for opposing special teams units. Metcalf played for several teams, including the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons, and his punt return abilities made him a key asset wherever he went.
Metcalf had 3,453 yards from punt returns, the fifth-best all-time, and the touchdown record until Hester broke it in 2011.
3. Deion Sanders
While Deion “Prime Time” Sanders is more widely known for his incredible career as a shutdown cornerback, he was also one of the most electrifying punt returners the game has ever seen. Sanders, a Hall of Famer, was a dual-sport star who played professional football and baseball, but his punt return ability was second to none.
Sanders brought his swagger and elite athleticism to the punt return game, where his speed and playmaking ability made him a constant threat to score. He tallied six punt return touchdowns over his career, a relatively modest number compared to others on this list, but his impact went far beyond just the numbers.
Sanders had a career-long punt return of 92 yards, and his ability to break big plays on special teams added another dimension to his game.
In addition to his returns, Sanders used his punt returns to shift momentum for his team in key situations. He often changed the flow of the game, and although other NFL punt returners had better stats, Sanders was a star of the position.
He has one of the longest punt returns in history at 92 yards, and that puts him on our list, albeit a slightly controversial pick.
4. Rick Upchurch
Rick Upchurch may not be a household name with modern NFL fans, but during his playing days in the 1970s and 1980s, he was considered the gold standard for punt returners. Upchurch spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos, where he was a dynamic return specialist and wide receiver.
Upchurch had eight punt return touchdowns and led the league in punt return yards multiple times during his career. His 3,008 punt return yards rank him among the best in NFL history, and his average of 12.1 yards per return is one of the highest ever for a player with a significant number of returns.
One of his most famous performances came in a 1976 game against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, he returned two punts for touchdowns, a feat that had only been accomplished a handful of times at that point in NFL history. This performance cemented Upchurch’s place as one of his era’s most dangerous punt returners.
NFL Punter Returners Honorable Mentions
A few names, including Darren Sproles, Tyreek Hill, and Patrick Peterson, were tough to leave off the list.
Peterson had 699 yards in the 2011 season, and that feat can’t be overlooked as one of the better NFL return seasons in recent history.
We must also mention Desmond Howard, who had an incredible 875 yards in 1996 for the Green Bay Packers, the current single-season record.
Sproles gets a mention because of his size. Although he was one of the smaller players at the position, he was must-see TV, and he added excitement.
Hill is another dynamic runner whose speed destroyed many special team defenses. In 2016, Hill had 592 yards for the Kansas City Chiefs.
