Many Happy Returns

SI Staff | Dec 8, 2011

Many Happy Returns /

Many Happy Returns

Patrick Peterson

Rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson has already returned four punts for touchdowns this season and is one of SI's most prolific Super Bowl Era punt returners -- players with at least four touchdowns on punt returns (kickoff returns are not included) who score at the highest frequency. Peterson leads the pack, but the top five return men are active NFL players.

Devin Hester

The Bears' prolific return man started his NFL career in 2006 and already holds the record for career combined kickoff and punt return touchdowns.

Adam Jones

Pacman is best known for running into trouble with the law, but the Bengals cornerback has also been trouble for punt coverage teams when he's been healthy.

Reggie Bush

Bush, a 2008 All-Pro punt returner, is the only active running back on the list.

DeSean Jackson

Jackson's punt return totals include a 65-yard touchdown against the New York Giants with 14 seconds left in the game to give the Eagles a 38-31 victory in 2010. It is the only game-winning punt return touchdown in NFL history.

Joey Galloway

Galloway played for the Redskins in 2010 and spent most of his NFL career with the Seahawks, Cowboys and Buccaneers. He is the first retired NFL player to make the list.

Desmond Howard

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.

Rick Upchurch

Upchurch played for the Denver Broncos from 1975 to 1983 and had eight combined kickoff and punt return touchdowns in his career.

Lemar Parrish

Parrish was a defensive back and return man in the NFL from 1970 to 1982. The former Bengal, Redskin and Bill played in eight Pro Bowls and was the 1979 Football Digest Defensive Back of the Year.

Henry Ellard

Ellard was not only as star return man, but also a Pro Bowl wide receiver. He played in the NFL from 1983 to 1998 and is currently the New York Jets receivers coach.

Eddie Drummond

Drummond made a 2004 Pro Bowl with the Detroit Lions two years after making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. The 31-year-old receiver and return man is currently playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League.

Eric Metcalf

Metcalf was a running back, receiver and return specialist during his 13-year NFL career. The former first-round pick is the NFL's second all-time combined kickoff and punt return touchdown leader.

Deion Sanders

Sanders is one of six cornerbacks on this list, but he's probably the one best known for his defense. Sanders, who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2011, won two Super Bowls, went to eight Pro Bowls and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year twice.

Dante Hall

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

Leroy Irvin

Irvin, a former Los Angeles Ram, recorded an NFL record 207 punt return yards in a 1981 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The cornerback also played in two Pro Bowls.

Published Dec 8, 2011

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