Who Has The Most Kick Returns For Touchdowns In NFL History?

Most kick returns for touchdowns in NFL history are 1. Cordarrelle Patterson 2. Josh Cribbs 3. Leon Washington 4. Mel Gray 5. Dante Hall and more.

Patterson is still an active player in the NFL and will surely record a few more kick return touchdowns in his career. He was the starting running back for the Falcons in 2022 and had a decent season last time out.

Patterson is one of the best kick returners in the NFL and his statistics are there to prove it. He can play as both a WR and RB and he proved that in 2021 when he had 11 touchdowns.

He was used primarily as a running back last season and is currently third in the pecking order on the depth chart. He has tough competition with Bijan Robinson being the first choice and Tyler Allgeier the second.

As a return specialist for the Falcons, Patterson is second to Mike Hughes in the depth chart and has not yet featured in the opening two games of the season.

Most Kick Return Touchdowns In A Game

Most kickoff return touchdowns in one game are tied between 11 players with 2 TDs in a single game. Nyheim Hines equaled the record recently on 8 January 2023.

The other leaders with 2 kick return touchdowns in a single game are:

  • Leon Washington (2010)
  • Josh Cribbs (2009)
  • Ted Ginn Jr. (2009)
  • Andre’ Davis (2007)
  • Devin Hester (2006)
  • Chad Morton (2002)
  • Tyrone Hughes (1994)
  • Ron Brown (1985)
  • Travis Williams (1967)
  • Timmy Brown (1966)

Nyheim Hines

Hines achieved this feat during the Week 18 matchup of the 2022-2023 NFL season between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots. His two TDs were crucial in helping the Bills win the game 35-23.

  • Returns – 4
  • Yards – 235
  • Yards/Return – 58.8
  • TD – 2

His first touchdown came in the first quarter when he returned Nick Folk’s kick for a 96-yard TD. His second came in the third quarter when he returned for a 101-yard touchdown.

Leon Washington

Week 3 – Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers

  • Returns – 4
  • Yards – 253
  • Yards/Return – 63.3
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 8

Washington’s 253 yards for two touchdowns in the game helped the Seahawks grab a win against the Chargers with a 27-20 scoreline. The game was played on September 26, 2010.

Josh Cribbs

Week 15 – Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

  • Returns – 6
  • Yards – 269
  • Yards/Return – 44.8
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 8

The game was played on December 20, 2009, and the Browns were victorious over the Chiefs.

Ted Ginn Jr.

Week 8 – Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

  • Returns – 6
  • Yards – 299
  • Yards/Return – 49.8
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 3

The Dolphins won with a scoreline of 30-25 and the game was played on November 1, 2009. He had one TD of 100 yards and the other of 101 yards and both were in the third quarter.

Andre’ Davis

Week 17 – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

  • Returns – 5
  • Yards – 234
  • Yards/Return – 46.8
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 4

The December 30, 2007 game was won by the Texans with a 42-28 scoreline.

Devin Hester

Week 14 – Chicago Bears vs. St. Louis Rams

  • Returns – 4
  • Yards – 225
  • Yards/Return – 56.3
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 6

The scoreline for the game played on December 11, 2006, was 42-27 with the Bears grabbing an easy win.

Chad Morton

Week 1 – New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills

  • Returns – 6
  • Yards – 278
  • Yards/Return – 46.3
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 3

The Jets won the closely contested game 37-31 played on September 8, 2002.

Tyrone Hughes

Week 8 – Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints

  • Returns – 7
  • Yards – 304
  • Yards/Return – 43.4
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 3

Tyrone Hughes set the NFL record for the kickoff return yards gained in a single game with his 304 yards on October 23, 1994. His tremendous contribution to the game helped the Saints grab a 37-34 victory.

Ron Brown

Week 12 – Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams

  • Returns – 2
  • Yards – 184
  • Yards/Return – 92.0
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 4

Brown had a 100 percent touchdown per return rate in the game scoring two TDs in two returns. He equaled the record on November 24, 1985, and the Rams won the game 34-17.

Travis William

Week 9 – Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers

  • Returns – 2
  • Yards – 172
  • Yards/Return – 86.0
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 6

The Packers won the game 55-7 played on November 12, 1967.

Timmy Brown

Week 9 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

  • Returns – 5
  • Yards – 247
  • Yards/Return – 49.4
  • TD – 2
  • Career Kickoff return TD – 5

Timmy Brown of the Eagles was the first player to record 2 touchdowns in a single game on November 6, 1966. It was instrumental for the Eagles to grab a narrow 24-23 victory.

Most Kick Return Touchdowns In A Season

Most kick return touchdowns in a single season are 4 TDs tied between Travis Williams (1967) and Cecil Turner (1970). 12 players are tied for 3 TDs in a season.

The 12 players with 3 touchdowns in a season are:

  • Ron Brown (1985)
  • Raymond Clayborn (1977)
  • Josh Cribbs (2009)
  • Andre’Davis (2007)
  • Jacoby Ford (2010)
  • Mel Gray (1994)
  • Terrence McGee (2004)
  • Gale Sayers (1967)
  • Vitamin Smith (1950)
  • Darrick Vaughn (2000)
  • Leon Washington (2007, 2010)
  • Abe Woodson (1963)

Travis Williams

Williams played as a Running back and a Kick returner in his NFL career. He was drafted in 1967 by the Green Bay Packers and recorded his best figures in his rookie season.

As a Kick returner, had 18 returns for 739 yards and 4 touchdowns. His four TDs are also the most by a rookie in a season and is still an NFL record.

He also set another record in 1967 when he became the first player to record two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same quarter. He did so against the Browns on November 12.

He averaged 41.06 for his 18 returns for 739 yards which is also an NFL record for the highest average kickoff return yards in a season.

Williams who was just 21 in his rookie season played a pivotal role in the Green Bay Packers’ consecutive Super Bowl championship win in 1967.

Cecil Turner

Turner had his best season for the Chicago Bears in 1970. He was picked by the Bears in the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft and did not record a single kickoff for touchdown in his first two seasons.

Although he was a wide receiver, he was mainly given the role of a return specialist. He recorded all four of his kickoff return touchdowns of his career in 1970 itself.

He played 14 games and had 23 returns for 752 yards averaging 32.7 and 4 touchdowns. His amazing display as a kick returner earned him a spot at the 1970 Pro Bowl.

Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns In NFL History

Most kick return touchdowns in a career are 9 by Cordarrelle Patterson. He also holds the record for the longest kickoff return for 109 yards.

Player Kick Returns for Touchdown (career)
Cordarrelle Patterson 9
Josh Cribbs 8
Leon Washington 8
Mel Gray 6
Dante Hall 6
Ollie Matson 6
Gale Sayers 6
Travis Williams 6
Michael Bates 5
Timmy Brown 5
Percy Harvin 5
Devin Hester 5
Jacoby Jones 5
Terrence McGee 5
Justin Miller 5
Bobby Mitchell 5
Allen Rossum 5
Abe Woodson 5

Cordarrelle Patterson is a seasoned player who made his debut in 2013 for the Minnesota Vikings after he was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

The Super Bowl champion (2018) is known for his versatility as he plays as a Running back, Return specialist, and also as a Wide receiver. He has played 156 games in his career and is currently signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

He has started 60 of those games and as a Kick returner, his statistics (regular season) are:

  • Returns – 267
  • Yards – 7,845
  • Average – 29.5
  • TD – 9

His rookie season was his best year as he had 43 returns for 1,393 yards which are both his career highs. He has 46 touchdowns in his NFL career as of now split in 15 Receiving TDs, 22 Rushing TDs, and 9 Kick return TDs.

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