Changing the Game: The 10 Best Kickoff Returns in Recent NFL History

The NFL is trying to eliminate the coolest play in football. Wait, the NFL, do they still play football?

Mar 28, 2011
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Complex Original

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Last week, the NFL officially moved the kickoff forward 5 yards to the 35-yard line in an effort to prevent injuries that occur on return plays. As a result, touchbacks will be automatic commonplace and kick returns will go the way of the Dodo bird become a rarity. The rule change already has fans and some players (we see you, Joshua Cribbs) complaining that it'll take away from the most exciting play

in football. But with the current lockout, will fans and players even get to see the new rule implemented in 2011? Who knows. To hold you over though, we're bringing you the most badass kickoff returns of recent memory. From Primetime, to Devin Hester, all the way to the Music City Miracle, here are the 10 Best Kickoff Returns in Recent NFL History...

 

10. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

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DATE: 10/25/2009
VICTIM: Pittsburgh Steelers
COMPLEX SAYS: Harvin had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and a 27-yard return average in his rookie season, which earned him a spot on the Pro Bowl team. Those stats are cool and all, but our favorite part of this 88-yard return is the pancake block on the referee. Soundtrack, please!

9. Brad Smith, New York Jets

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DATE: 11/25/2010
VICTIM: Cincinnati Bengals
COMPLEX SAYS: During the Thanksgiving Day NFL special, the Jets carved up the Bengals in a 27-10 victory (surprising, huh?) but return specialist Brad Smith served up the gravy with this 90-yard touchdown. Homie straight up ran out of his shoes! Either that, or dude was planning on pulling a Maurice Greene on 'em.

8. Eric Weems, Atlanta Falcons

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DATE: 12/5/2010
VICTIM: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
COMPLEX SAYS:  So, a total of six Bucs' players got their hands on Weems in this play yet none of them were able to tackle or even force him out of bounds. We're trying to figure out which is more soft: The Tampa Bay special teams unit or those creamsicle uniforms?

7. Dan Connolly, New England Patriots

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DATE: 12/19/2010
VICTIM: Green Bay Packers
COMPLEX SAYS:  At over 300 pounds, Connolly recorded the longest kickoff return in NFL history for an offensive lineman with this 71-yard run. Even if you hate the Pats, you can't front on the big man's agility on this play.

6. The Music City Miracle

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DATE: 1/8/2000
VICTIM: Buffalo Bills
COMPLEX SAYS: The Music City Miracle is not only of the most electrifying plays in NFL playoff history but one of the greatest sports calls of all time, too. Lorenzo Neal, Frank Wycheck, and Kevin Dyson combined for a 75-yard return that won the Wild Card Playoff game for the Titans. Bills fans still gripe about the lateral that they call a forward pass but as you can see...THERE ARE NO FLAGS ON THE FIELD! Ya heard?

5. Brian Mitchell, Washington Redskins

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DATE: 1990 Preseason
VICTIM: Atlanta Falcons
COMPLEX SAYS: Though this return was done during the preseason, it's the only video available online for Mitchell and a list wouldn't be complete without the league's most prolific return specialist. We of course hear about flashy retired vets like Primetime, or today's stars like Devin Hester, but who holds the record for career kickoff return yards (14,014) and total kick returns (607)? Salute the O.G.!

4. Ellis Hobbs, New England Patriots

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DATE: 9/9/2007
VICTIM: New York Jets
COMPLEX SAYS: At 108 yards, this is the longest kickoff return in NFL history. Setting an all-time record against the your rival is a pretty potent dose of ether but even the biggest Jets fans have to admit that Hobbs has some nice feet on this one. Word to Rex.

3. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

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DATE: 2/4/2007
VICTIM: Indianapolis Colts
COMPLEX SAYS: As a rookie, Hester became the only player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in one game. But when Super Bowl XLI was ready to begin, the Colts apparently didn't get the memo and Hester returned it for a 92-yard touchdown. Colts special teams coach: C'mon son!

2. Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers

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DATE: 1/26/1997
VICTIM: New England Patriots
COMPLEX SAYS: With the Patriots closing in on the Packers' 27-21 lead late in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXI, Howard took this return back 99 yards for the touchdown. Though it's often Brett Favre who's credited with leading Green Bay to victory, it's actually Howard who tied a record with his 244 all-purpose yards earning him Super Bowl MVP honors. Sorry, Sir Shows-my-cock-a-lot.

1. Deion Sanders, Atlanta Falcons

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DATE: 11/9/1992
VICTIM: San Francisco 49ers
COMPLEX SAYS: No one put on a better show when returning kickoffs and punts than Primetime. Dude had a total of nine touchdowns and over 2,000 yards on returns in his career, but more importantly his high-step is still imitated by young'ns in the league today. #stunt101

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