Nothing gets the crowd on their feet quite like a long kick return. It’s one of the most exhilarating plays in football – a return specialist catches the ball deep in the end zone, weaves through defenders, and takes it all the way to the house. In seconds, the momentum shifts, and fans are left in awe. Throughout NFL history, some returns have been so long and breathtaking that they’ve cemented players in the record books. Let’s dive into the longest kickoff returns in NFL history and meet the players who made it happen.
Cordarrelle Patterson’s 109-Yard Kickoff Return (2013)
At the top of the list is Cordarrelle Patterson’s legendary 109-yard return for the Minnesota Vikings. In his rookie season on October 27, 2013, Patterson fielded a kick from the Green Bay Packers in the end zone and sprinted end-to-end to set the record for the longest kickoff return in NFL history. The return gave the Vikings an early lead, but despite his efforts, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers overpowered them, winning 44-31.
This return ties the longest play in NFL history, matching the 109-yard missed field goal returns by Antonio Cromartie and Jamal Agnew. Patterson, known for his special teams brilliance, holds the record for the most kickoff return touchdowns with nine, surpassing Josh Cribbs and Leon Washington, who each had eight.
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The 108-Yard Club: Six Players Share the Glory
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (2015)
On September 20, 2015, in just his second career game, David Johnson etched his name in NFL history. His 108-yard return against the Chicago Bears on the very first play helped the Cardinals crush the Bears 48-23. Johnson didn’t stop there – he also ran for another touchdown that day, proving he was a versatile threat.
Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens (2012 & 2014)
Jacoby Jones isn’t just part of the 108-yard club once, but twice! His first came on October 14, 2012, when he took a kickoff to the house against the Dallas Cowboys, just after halftime. The return proved critical in the Ravens’ 31-29 victory. Jones repeated this incredible feat two years later on November 2, 2014, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, though the Ravens lost 43-23.
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Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs (2013)
Despite playing only three seasons in the NFL, Knile Davis made his mark with a 108-yard return against the Denver Broncos on December 1, 2013. His early-game heroics gave the Chiefs a quick lead, but it wasn’t enough to outmatch Peyton Manning and the Broncos, who won 35-28.
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (2011)
In his NFL debut on September 8, 2011, Randall Cobb wasted no time making history. He returned a kick 108 yards against the New Orleans Saints in a thrilling 42-34 victory. His return gave the Packers a commanding third-quarter lead in a quarterback showdown between Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.
Ellis Hobbs, New England Patriots (2007)
Ellis Hobbs set the 108-yard return record on September 9, 2007, in a game against the New York Jets. His return came off a Mike Nugent kick and gave the Patriots a big lead as they cruised to a 38-14 victory. Hobbs’ record stood alone until Cobb matched it four years later.
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107-Yard Returns: Close, But No Record
Josh Huff, Philadelphia Eagles (2014)
Josh Huff’s 107-yard return against the Tennessee Titans on November 23, 2014, gave the Eagles an early lead, helping them secure a 43-24 victory. Although it wasn’t a record, it was still one of the longest in NFL history.
Joe McKnight, New York Jets (2011)
On October 2, 2011, Joe McKnight joined the 107-yard return club in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. His return didn’t lead to a victory, as the Jets fell 34-17, but it remains one of the longest kickoff returns in NFL history.
Super Bowl Kickoff Return Records
Jacoby Jones, 108 Yards (2012)
Jones doesn’t just hold the regular-season 108-yard return record – he owns the Super Bowl kickoff return record as well. On February 3, 2013, in Super Bowl XLVII, Jones took the opening kick of the second half all the way, extending the Ravens’ lead to 28-6. Although the San Francisco 49ers made a furious comeback, the Ravens held on to win 34-31.
Desmond Howard, 99 Yards (1996)
Desmond Howard set the Super Bowl kickoff return record in 1996 with a 99-yard return late in the third quarter. His heroics helped the Green Bay Packers secure a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots.
Fulton Walker and Andre Coleman, 98 Yards (1981 & 1994)
Fulton Walker of the Miami Dolphins and Andre Coleman of the San Diego Chargers both returned kicks 98 yards in Super Bowl history, coming close to breaking Howard’s record. However, both returns ended in touchdowns, adding to their legacies.
Longest Punt Return in NFL History
Robert Bailey, 103 Yards (1994)
On October 23, 1994, Los Angeles Rams defensive back Robert Bailey set the record for the longest punt return in NFL history. In a game against the New Orleans Saints, Bailey fielded the punt and weaved through the defense for an astonishing 103-yard return, a record that still stands today.
Longest Missed Field Goal Returns
Antonio Cromartie & Jamal Agnew, 109 Yards
Antonio Cromartie and Jamal Agnew share the record for the longest missed field goal returns in NFL history. Cromartie’s return came on November 4, 2007, against the Minnesota Vikings, while Agnew’s happened on September 26, 2021, against the Arizona Cardinals. Both players ran 109 yards to tie the NFL’s longest-play record.
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