When the opening whistle blows and the kickoff sails through the air, the game can flip in a split second. A spectacular kickoff return isn’t just about yards; it’s about momentum, surprise, and pure excitement. In this article, we’ll dive into three of the most jaw-dropping kickoff returns in NFL history, explain what made each one special, how it changed the game, and why they still stand out years later.
Devin Hester’s Opening Salvo in Super Bowl XLI
In the grandest stage of them all, the Super Bowl, moments of greatness are amplified. On February 4, 2007, during Super Bowl XLI between the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts, Devin Hester turned the opening kickoff into a legendary highlight.
The Play
Hester fielded the kickoff near the 8-yard line and burst down the sideline for a 92-yard touchdown return. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to take the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.
Why It’s Electrifying
- It happened at the very start of the biggest football game.
- The crowd and broadcast exploded in an instant, and a routine kickoff became a huge momentum swing.
- Hester’s speed, vision, and timing all clicked in one perfect play.
Why It Matters
Even though the Bears ultimately lost that Super Bowl, the opening return remains one of the most replayed kickoff highlights ever. It cemented Devin Hester’s legacy as one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history and showed how a single kick-return touchdown can shift a game’s emotional tone.
Jacoby Jones’s 108-Yard Spark in Super Bowl XLVII
On February 3, 2013, during Super Bowl XLVII, Jacoby Jones delivered a return for the ages while playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Play
Jones returned the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a touchdown, the longest scoring play in Super Bowl and postseason history. Earlier in the game, he also caught a 56-yard touchdown pass.
Why It’s Electrifying
- A 108-yard return is the maximum length recorded for a scoring play in that setting, and it came at a crucial moment right after halftime.
- The return dramatically swung momentum to the Ravens and came amid an already charged game environment.
- Jones’ performance combined explosive speed, sturdy blocking, and superb vision.
Why It Matters
Jones became the first player in Super Bowl history to score both a receiving touchdown and a kickoff-return touchdown in the same game. That rare combination of big plays helped define the Ravens’ victory and etched the return in NFL highlight reels.
Cordarrelle Patterson’s 109-Yard Record (Regular Season)
Not all the greatest returns happen in the Super Bowl; some occur in the regular season and still leave a lasting mark. On October 27, 2013, Cordarrelle Patterson of the Minnesota Vikings returned a kickoff 109 yards against the Green Bay Packers, the longest possible kickoff return and an NFL record.
The Play
Fielded deep in the back of the end zone, Patterson found a seam, exploded through it, and raced the length of the field for a 109-yard touchdown.
Why It’s Electrifying
- 109 yards is the longest kickoff return distance that can be recorded on a play of that type.
- The burst of speed, reading of blocks, and sheer athleticism make it one of the most thrilling single-player displays in recent memory.
Why It Matters
Patterson holds the NFL record for career kickoff-return touchdowns (nine), and his 109-yard return stands as a reminder that regular-season plays can be historically significant. It also underlines how special teams alone can produce game-changing moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a kickoff return in the NFL?
A kickoff return happens when the receiving team catches or picks up the kickoff and attempts to advance the ball instead of taking a knee or accepting a touchback. If the returner reaches the end zone with the ball, it counts as a touchdown.
Are kickoff returns less common now than before?
Yes, for a period, the league’s safety-driven rule changes (moving kickoff spots, modifying formations, changing touchback placement) significantly reduced the number of returns because more kicks resulted in touchbacks. Recent rule adjustments have again altered return dynamics, but the historical decline in returns after safety rules were adopted is accurate.
Can you field the ball in the end zone and return it, or is it automatically a touchback?
You can field the ball in the end zone and choose to return it. If you return from deep in the end zone and score, the yardage is measured from the point where you fielded the ball.
Why are 108-yard and 109-yard returns possible?
Because the field includes the end zones, a returner can catch the ball deep in the end zone and run it back. On kickoffs, the recorded return yardage can reach 109 yards, and you might sometimes see 108 or 109, depending on where the ball was fielded and how the official yardage is recorded. A kickoff return cannot legally be recorded as longer than 109 yards.
Why do “longest play” and “longest kickoff return” sometimes differ?
“Longest play” covers all types of plays (interception returns, fumble returns, kickoff returns, etc.), while “longest kickoff return” references that specific play type. Also, records are tracked separately for regular season and postseason/Super Bowl contexts.
Conclusion
- Kickoffs might seem like routine parts of a football game, but the right return at the right time can flip momentum, create iconic memories, and even rewrite record books.
- Devin Hester’s 92-yard opening return in Super Bowl XLI showed how a single play can set the tone for an entire championship game.
- Jacoby Jones’ 108-yard all-purpose explosion in Super Bowl XLVII proved how special teams can instantly shift momentum and decide outcomes.
- Cordarrelle Patterson’s 109-yard regular-season sprint highlighted how record-breaking moments can come from anywhere on the field.
- These unforgettable plays remind us that special teams can be the most electric phase of football, and one return can change everything.
Read More
- NFL Players Who Overcame Career-Threatening Injuries To Make A Comeback
- How Jackie Robinson Changed American Sports Forever
- Greatest Super Bowl Moments That Shaped Football History
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
