Who Has the Most Punt Returns in NFL History?
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Many people don’t know this, but the NFL actually keeps track of who has the most punt returns in history. And the answer may surprise you!
Punt Returns in NFL History
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league. The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. As of 2016, the NFL has 32 teams, divided into two conferences of 16 teams each.
Most Punt Returns in a Single Season
The most punt returns in a season is 61, achieved by Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears in 2007. Hester’s 61 punt returns during the 2007 NFL season is also the career record.
Most Punt Returns in a Career
The record for the most punt returns in an NFL career is held by Hall of Fame wide receiver, Devin Hester. Hester played for 11 seasons in the NFL, accruing 1,313 punt return yards and 12 touchdowns over his career.
Most Punt Return Yards in a Single Season
The NFL record for the most punt return yards in a single season is held by Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears, who had 1,238 yards in 2006. Hester is also the career leader in punt return yards, with 3,695. The leader in punt return touchdowns is Deion Sanders, who had eight in his career.
Most Punt Return Yards in a Career
Player seasons
1. Deion Sanders … 20
2. Brian Mitchell … 19
3. Eric Metcalf … 16
4. Dante Hall … 14
5. Allen Rossum … 14
6. Devin Hester … 13
7. Rick Upchurch … 13
8. Julian Edelman … 12
9. Fulton Walker … 11
10. Leodis McKelvin … 11
Active Punt Return Leaders
Dante Hall currently leads all active punt returners with 3,449 yards. Hall is followed by Devin Hester with 3,311 yards and then by Leon Washington with 2,872 yards.
Most Punt Returns
In the NFL, there have been some great punt returners throughout the years. But who are the absolute best? Here are the top 10 leaders in punt return yards.
1. Devin Hester – 3,695 yards
2. Desmond Howard – 3,381 yards
3. Eric Metcalf – 3,200 yards
4. Richard Johnson – 3,070 yards
5. Deion Sanders – 2,927 yards
6. Chad Johnson – 2,757 yards
7. Antonio Brown – 2,687 yards
8. Brian Mitchell – 2,648 yards
9. Weegie Thompson – 2,620 yards
10. Ollie Matson – 2,554 yards
Most Punt Return Yards
In the National Football League, there have been some great punt returners over the years. These are the players who have the most punt return yards in NFL history.
1. Devin Hester – 3,695 yards
2. Desmond Howard – 3,030 yards
3. Eric Metcalf – 2,696 yards
4. Troy Brown – 2,625 yards
5. Leodis McKelvin – 2,332 yards
Most Punt Return Touchdowns
In the National Football League (NFL), the record for the most punt return touchdowns in a career is eight, shared by Devin Hester and Eric Metcalf.
As of the end of the 2020 NFL season, there have been seven players who have returned seven punts for touchdowns in their careers: DeSean Jackson, Dante Hall, Brian Mitchell, Ollie Matson, Jack Christiansen, Rick Upchurch, and Travis Williams.
