The NFL's All-Time Kick and Punt Return Touchdown Leaders

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 19, 2014

The NFL's All-Time Kick and Punt Return Touchdown Leaders

Devin Hester | 20 TDs

The prolific return man started his NFL career in 2006 and broke the record for career combined kickoff and punt return touchdowns in 2010.

Brian Mitchell | 14 TDs

Mitchell remains the all-time leader in kickoff return yards (14,014), punt return yards (4,999), and combined postseason return yards (1,214).

Dante Hall | 13 TDs

Nicknamed ''X-Factor'' and ''The Human Joystick,'' Hall returned six punts and six kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. He was a Pro Bowl pick in 2003 and 2004.

Eric Metcalf | 13 TDs

The former first-round pick and three-time Pro Bowl pick was a running back, receiver and return specialist during his 13-year NFL career.

Josh Cribbs | 11 TDs

Cribbs and Leon Washington are tied with an NFL career-record eight kickoff returns for touchdowns. Cribbs and Ted Ginn are tied with the NFL record of two kickoffs of 100 yards or more returned for touchdowns in a single game.

Desmond Howard | 10 TDs

Howard, the 1991 Heisman trophy winner, is the only return man to win the Super Bowl MVP. In 1997 he totaled a Super Bowl-record 90 punt return yards and 154 kickoff return yards with one touchdown for the Green Bay Packers.

Deion Sanders | 9 TDs

Others wracked up more return numbers, but Deion was also busy as the premier cornerback of his era, so he didn't get as many attempts as other returners. But ''Prime Time'' did return six punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns.

Ollie Matson | 9 TDs

For some time Matson held the NFL record with nine return touchdowns. The Hall of Fame halfback contributed in all aspects of the game, and was especially dangerous returning the ball.

Mel Gray | 9 TDs

A four-time Pro Bowl pick, Gray holds the record for being the oldest player to return a kickoff for a touchdown (33 years, 276 days).

Jacoby Jones | 9 TDs

The hero of Super Bowl XLVIII, Ravens receiver/return specialist Jacoby Jones not only scored on a 56-yard reception, but also opened the second half with a 108-yard kickoff return.