Football NFL Return Stat Leaders

 

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Return Stat Leaders

 

Notes:

Statistics were not kept by the NFL from 1920-1931.

Kick and Punt Return Stats were not kept until 1941.

 

Year Kick Return Average Team #   Year Kick Return Yards Team #   Year Punt Return Average Team #   Year Punt Return Yards Team #
1941 Whizzer White Lions 25.9   1941 Marshall Goldberg Cardinals 290   1941 Dick Todd Redskins 17.0   1941 Whizzer White Lions 262
1942 Bill Dudley Steelers 27.1   1942 Marshall Goldberg (2) Cardinals 393   1942 Andy Tomasic Steelers 16.6   1942 Bill Dudley Steelers 271
1943 Andy Farkas Redskins 31.0   1943 Ken Heineman Dodgers 444   1943 Frankie Sinkwich Lions 20.7   1943 Frankie Sinkwich Lions 228
1944 Bill Paschal Giants 28.9   1944 John Grigas Cardinals 471   1944 Ernie Steele Eagles 16.5   1944 Bob Davis Redskins 271
1945 Steve Van Buren Eagles 28.7   1945 Frank Seno Cardinals 408   1945 Dave Ryan Lions 14.7   1945 Steve Bagarus Redskins 251
1946 Frank Seno Cardinals 31.4   1946 Abde Karnofsky Redskins 599   1946 Chuck Fenenbock Dons 18.7   1946 Bill Dudley (2) Steelers 385
1947 Chet Mutryn Bills 32.9   1947 Eddie Saenz Redskins 797   1947 Frank Seno Redskins 17.8   1947 Walt Slater Steelers 435
1948 Frank Minini Bears 30.8   1948 Dan Sandifer Redskins 594   1948 Rex Bumgardner Bills 21.0   1948 George McAfee Bears 417
1949 Jack Salscheider Giants 31.6   1949 Herm Wedemeyer Colts 602   1949 Red Cochran Cardinals 20.9   1949 Vitamin Smith Rams 427
1950 Vitamin Smith Rams 33.7   1950 Vitamin Smith Rams 742   1950 Herb Rich Colts 23.0   1950 Billy Grimes Packers 555
1951 Lynn Chandnois Steelers 32.5   1951 George Taliafero Yankees 622   1951 Buddy Young Yankees 19.3   1951 Emlen Tunnell Giants 489
1952 Lynn Chandnois (2) Steelers 35.2   1952 Buddy Young Texans 643   1952 Jack Christiansen Lions 21.5   1952 Emlen Tunnell (2) Giants 411
1953 Joe Arenas 49ers 34.4   1953 Woodley Lewis Rams 830   1953 Charlie Trippi Cardinals 11.4   1953 Woodley Lewis Rams 267
1954 Billy Reynolds Browns 29.5   1954 Woodley Lewis (2) Rams 836   1954 Veryl Switzer Packers 12.8   1954 Veryl Switzer Packers 306
1955 Al Carmichael Packers 29.9   1955 Sid Watson Steelers 716   1955 Ollie Matson Cardinals 18.8   1955 Ollie Matson Cardinals 245
1956 Tommy Wilson Rams 31.8   1956 Al Carmichael Packers 927   1956 Ken Konz Browns 14.4   1956 Carl Taseff Colts 233
1957 Jon Arnett Rams 28.0   1957 Al Carmichael (2) Packers 690   1957 Bert Zagers Redskins 15.5   1957 Bert Zagers Redskins 217
1958 Ollie Matson Cardinals 35.5   1958 Jimmy Sears Cardinals 756   1958 Jon Arnett Rams 12.4   1958 Jon Arnett Rams 223
1959 Abe Woodson 49ers 29.4   1959 Lenny Lyles 49ers 565   1959 Johnny Morris Bears 12.2   1959 Billy Stacy Cardinals 281
1960 Tom Moore Packers 33.1   1960 Leon Burton Titans 862   1960 Abner Haynes Texans 15.4   1960 Abner Haynes Texans 215
1961 Dick Bass Rams 30.3   1961 Timmy Brown Eagles 811   1961 Dick Christy Titans 21.3   1961 Dick Christy Titans 383
1962 Abe Woodson (2) 49ers 31.3   1962 Abe Woodson 49ers 1,157   1962 Dick Christy (2) Titans 16.7   1962 Pat Studstill Lions 457
1963 Abe Woodson (3) 49ers 32.2   1963 Bobby Jancik Oilers 1,317   1963 Dick James Redskins 13.4   1963 Tom Watkins Lions 399
1964 Clarence Childs Giants 29.0   1964 Odell Barry Broncos 1,245   1964 Tom Watkins Lions 14.9   1964 Claude Gibson Raiders 419
1965 Tom Watkins Lions 34.4   1965 Abner Haynes Broncos 901   1965 Leroy Kelly Browns 15.6   1965 Speedy Duncan Chargers 464
1966 Gale Sayers Bears 31.2   1966 Ron Smith Falcons 1,013   1966 Speedy Duncan Chargers 13.2   1966 Alvin Haymond Colts 347
1967 Travis Williams Packers 41.1   1967 Noland Smith Chiefs 1,148   1967 Floyd Little Broncos 16.9   1967 Rodger Bird Raiders 612
1968 Preston Pearson Colts 35.1   1968 Chuck Latourette Cardinals 1,237   1968 Bob Hayes Cowboys 20.8   1968 George Atkinson Raiders 490
1969 Bobby Williams Lions 33.1   1969 Mercury Morris Dolphins 1,136   1969 Alvin Haymond Rams 13.2   1969 Alvin Haymond (2) Rams 435
1970 Jim Duncan Colts 35.4   1970 Alvin Haymond Rams 1,022   1970 Ed Podolak Chiefs 13.5   1970 Bruce Taylor 49ers 516
1971 Travis Williams (2) Rams 29.7   1971 Dave Hampton Packers 1,314   1971 Speedy Duncan (2) Redskins 10.6   1971 Jake Scott Dolphins 318
1972 Ron Smith Bears 30.8   1972 Margene Adkins Saints 1,020   1972 Ken Ellis Packers 15.4   1972 Bruce Laird Colts 303
1973 Carl Garrett Bears 30.4   1973 Mack Herron Patriots 1,092   1973 Bruce Taylor 49ers 13.8   1973 Bill Thompson Broncos 366
1974 Terry Metcalf Cardinals 31.2   1974 Lou Piccone Jets 961   1974 Lemar Parrish Bengals 18.8   1974 Lynn Swann Steelers 577
1975 Walter Payton Bears 31.7   1975 Larry Jones Redskins 1,086   1975 Billy Johnson Oilers 15.3   1975 Neal Colzie Raiders 655
1976 Duriel Harris Dolphins 32.9   1976 Willie Shelby Bengals 761   1976 Rick Upchurch Broncos 13.7   1976 Eddie Brown Redskins 646
1977 Raymond Clayborn Patriots 31.0   1977 Bruce Harper Jets 1,035   1977 Billy Johnson (2) Oilers 15.4   1977 Rick Upchurch Broncos 653
1978 Steve Odom Packers 27.1   1978 Bruce Harper (2) Jets 1,280   1978 Rick Upchurch (2) Broncos 13.7   1978 Jackie Wallace Rams 618
1979 Larry Brunson Raiders 25.9   1979 Bruce Harper (3) Jets 1,158   1979 John Sciarra Eagles 11.4   1979 JT Smith Chiefs 612
1980 Horace Ivory Patriots 27.6   1980 Eddie Payton Vikings 1,184   1980 JT Smith Chiefs 14.5   1980 JT Smith (2) Chiefs 581
1981 Mike Nelms Redskins 29.7   1981 Stump Mitchell Cardinals 1,292   1981 LeRoy Irvin Rams 13.4   1981 LeRoy Irvin Rams 615
1982 Mike Mosley Bills 27.1   1982 James Brooks Chargers 749   1982 Rick Upchurch (3) Broncos 16.1   1982 Leon Bright Giants 325
1983 Fulton Walker Dolphins 26.7   1983 Zachary Dixon BAL-SEA 1,171   1983 Henry Ellard Rams 13.6   1983 Greg Pruitt Raiders 666
1984 Bobby Humphrey Jets 30.7   1984 Lionel James Chargers 959   1984 Mike Martin Bengals 15.7   1984 Louis Lipps Steelers 656
1985 Ron Brown Rams 32.8   1985 Buster Rhymes Vikings 1,345   1985 Irving Fryar Patriots 14.1   1985 Fulton Walker MIA-Raiders 692
1986 Dennis Gentry Bears 28.8   1986 Herman Hunter/Tim McGee DET/CIN 1,007   1986 Bobby Joe Edmonds Seahawks 12.3   1986 Vai Sikahema Cardinals 522
1987 Sylvester Stamps Falcons 27.5   1987 Paul Palmer Chiefs 923   1987 Mel Gray Saints 14.7   1987 Vai Sikahema (2) Cardinals 550
1988 Tim Brown Raiders 26.8   1988 Tim Brown Raiders 1,098   1988 John Taylor 49ers 12.6   1988 John Taylor 49ers 556
1989 Rod Woodson Steelers 27.3   1989 James Dixon Cowboys 1,181   1989 Walter Stanley Lions 13.8   1989 Dave Meggett Giants 582
1990 Kevin Clark Broncos 25.3   1990 Eric Metcalf Browns 1,052   1990 Clarence Verdin Colts 12.8   1990 Dave Meggett (2) Giants 467
1991 Mel Gray Lions 25.8   1991 Mel Gray Lions 929   1991 Mel Gray (2) Lions 15.4   1991 Brian Mitchell Redskins 600
1992 Jon Vaughn Patriots 28.2   1992 Deion Sanders Falcons 1,067   1992 Johnny Bailey Cardinals 13.2   1992 Kelvin Martin Cowboys 532
1993 Corey Harris Packers 30.1   1993 Clarence Verdin Colts 1,050   1993 Tyrone Hughes Saints 13.6   1993 Tyrone Hughes Saints 503
1994 Mel Gray (2) Lions 28.4   1994 Tyrone Hughes Saints 1,556   1994 Brian Mitchell Redskins 14.1   1994 Tim Brown Raiders 487
1995 Ron Carpenter Jets 27.7   1995 Tyrone Hughes (2) Saints 1,617   1995 David Palmer Vikings 13.2   1995 Tamarick Vanover Chiefs 540
1996 Michael Bates Panthers 30.2   1996 Tyrone Hughes (3) Saints 1,791   1996 Amani Toomer Giants 16.6   1996 Desmond Howard Packers 875
1997 Michael Bates (2) Panthers 27.3   1997 Kevin Williams Cardinals 1,458   1997 Jermaine Lewis Ravens 15.6   1997 Leon Johnson Jets 619
1998 Terry Fair Lions 28.0   1998 Glyn Milburn Bears 1,550   1998 Deion Sanders Cowboys 15.6   1998 Reggie Barlow Jaguars 555
1999 Tony Horne Rams 29.7   1999 Brock Marion Dolphins 1,524   1999 Charlie Rogers Seahawks 14.5   1999 Tamarick Vanover (2) Chiefs 627
2000 Darrick Vaughn Falcons 27.7   2000 MarTay Jenkins Cardinals 2,186   2000 Jeff Ogden Dolphins 17.0   2000 Derrick Mason Titans 662
2001 Ronney Jenkins Chargers 26.6   2001 Ronney Jenkins Chargers 1,541   2001 Troy Brown Patriots 14.2   2001 Jermaine Lewis Ravens 519
2002 MarTay Jenkins Cardinals 28.0   2002 Michael Lewis Saints 1,807   2002 Jimmy Williams 49ers 16.8   2002 Michael Lewis Saints 625
2003 Najeh Davenport Packers 31.6   2003 Josh Scobey Cardinals 1,684   2003 Dante Hall Chiefs 16.3   2003 Allen Rossum Falcons 545
2004 Derrick Ward Giants 27.3   2004 Dante Hall Chiefs 1,718   2004 Eddie Drummond Lions 13.2   2004 BJ Sams Ravens 575
2005 Terrence McGee Bills 30.2   2005 Chris Carr Raiders 1,752   2005 Reno Mahe Eagles 12.8   2005 Mark Jones Buccaneers 492
2006 Justin Miller Jets 28.3   2006 Chris Carr (2) Raiders 1,762   2006 Pacman Jones Titans 12.9   2006 Devin Hester Bears 600
2007 Josh Cribbs Browns 30.7   2007 Josh Cribs Browns 1,809   2007 Roscoe Parrish Bills 16.3   2007 Nate Burleson Seahawks 658
2008 Danieal Manning Bears 29.7   2008 Josh Wilson Seahawks 1,753   2008 Roscoe Parrish (2) Bills 15.3   2008 Johnnie Lee Higgins Raiders 570
2009 Bernard Scott Bengals 31.5   2009 Danny Amendola Rams 1,618   2009 DeSean Jackson Eagles 15.2   2009 Quan Cosby Bengals 474
2010 David Reed Ravens 29.3   2010 LaRod Stephens-Howling Cardinals 1,548   2010 Devin Hester Bears 17.1   2010 Devin Hester (2) Bears 564
2011 Percy Harvin Vikings 32.5   2011 Brandon Banks Redskins 1,174   2011 Devin Hester (2) Bears 16.2   2011 Patrick Peterson Cardinals 699

 

 

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