Greatest NFL Kick / Punt Returners

Punt Returns and Kick Returns combined no doubt he is first. I am a huge Hester fan, but no doubt Cribbs was more impressive than Hester on Kick Returns (Leon Washington too, just look at their numbers, a vg. a and ratio's). Cribbs had 426 returns for 8 TD's (his 8 TD's all came in his first 241 returns), Washington 292 returns for 8 TD's, Hester in his career had 276 for 5 TD's (regular season, he had one in the SB also). If you look at Punt Returns no one is even close to Hester. I agree Kick Returns and Punt Returns are much different. Hester and Deion are definitely 1,2 in Punt returns. Cribbs and Leon Washington are 1,2 in Kick Returns however, Sayers is number one in TD ratio = 91 kick returns for 6 TD)

For anyone to sit there and second guess who's number #1 knows nothing about football. Devin "THE WINDY CITY FLYER" Hester broke records in his first 4 years in the nfl. Compared to guys like Hall & Sanders who took 10 years to get where they were. Well Voters Devin did this in half the time they did! SO YES DEVIN HESTER IS #1

"Most of Dante kick returns came when the team needed him, not like Hester. "

While Hester has been there the Bears have not dominated opponents. In other words, they ALWAYS needed him to do something big. And Hester doesn't get kicked to any more than Dante (or any great return man) did.

I started watching the bears the year he got drafted. every time he received a kick or punt return, anything could have happened. Hester has had so many extra return touchdowns that were called back that should have easily counted in the record books. In addition, he’s had at least 30 almost return touchdowns where he went for 40-80 yards and cane just shy of the end zone

Kick offs are more difficult to return than punts. The opponent has a running start at you, and more than likely, you are coming out of your own endzone, that's why I believe Cribbs is the best. Hester is amazing, but I would take Joshua's kick return ability first.

So on punt returns they don't have a running start on you? Hmm we watching the same sport

Remember a little thing called the immaculate deception? Come on people!

All-time kick returner for touchdown leader. He is way better than 5th!

I went to collage with him saw him there and the NFL he was the BEST ever Collage and Pros

He was the best and the most entertaining. Loved watching him return!

The BEST of all time, especially considering his height!

Whiteshoes was good, but you left out Rick Upchurch, he was just as good. You pchurch retired as the all time yardage leader!

He is the second best returner, just behind Hester. And Washington is now with the Tennessee Titans. The best team in NFL

Should be Top 10, he and Hester are tied for most kick/punt return TDs in NFL History.

Nice he plays for seahawks AWESOME

Dante was a clutch player, who delivered when the team needed him most, beyond that his sheer talent was undeniable. His ability to evade tackles, and juke ENTIRE TEAMS of defenders, was astounding, something few others could even dream of competing with.

I have to agree with the posts here... In particular, Hall always came through when his team needed him the most. Game changer. Don't kick the Ball to Dante Hall! He would've broken more records had teams actually done that. Hats off to the human joystick!

He got kicked to less and he did it with very little special teams help.. His returns weren't one cut and up the field returns, his returns where he should of been tackled 10 times but he juked the whole team returns.. He should be #1 hands down...

You had to see Dante in person then watch him. It is amazing what he did. Most of Dante kick returns came when the team needed him, not like Hester.

He should be in the Hall of Fame. Only Jerry Rice has more All-Purpose Yards than Mitchell's 22,000. 19,000 of those yards are in the return game, where he also had 13 TDs. Only one other person has 15,000 return yards. Brian Mitchell is miles (literally) ahead of anyone in return yardage in the history of the NFL. Greatest returner ever. All-Time leader in punt and kick yards.

All around player. Special teams get ignored in Hall of Fame ballots most of the time. Brian Mitchell should be in the Hall of Fame eventually because of his versatility,character and overall stats.

All-time in kick return and punt return yards. Can't argue with that.

Most yards all time, Dave megett number two all time. Neither on the list?

Are you kidding me?!? How is Roscoe not on this list right below Devin Hester?

Wow as fast as Barry with Barry like moves made that team a legit threat

Mel Gray of the Detroit Lions should be #1

The guy never played in college and didn't catch punts until he got to the nfl

The beer man!

I saw Gayle Sayers play on TV when I was A kid. He was as a man against boys. In the rain and mud he was sensational. The guy didn't walk on water but he could sure run on mud.

Gale Sayers only played for about six seasons, but he was one heck of a return man.

Two Chicago players are top tens man whats up New York Chicagos coming back

Vai is a bad man.. Nasty punt returner...Punch that goal post Vai he was the pioneer of the goal post punching bag celebration and he had a lot of chances to do it cause he was electric

Pro bowler twice, goalpost punching champ.

Holds the record for most punt returner for a rookie and made it to the hall of fame in 1970.

It took 54 years just to get his record tied.

He is in the NFL Hall of Fame.

He may not be hester but considering the blocks he gets and what he does with them you gotta give him credit

P 10, considering he split time as a 3rd down back, best 633 yds and 1 x 1000K receiving seasons. He literally best teams himself. Ask Pittsburg. Better than Desmond Howard, who's a bit over-rated in my opinion. Metcalf belongs in the bottom half of the #10 list, worse case. 3 time pro-bowler, 2 x All-Pro makes my case.

He's the best

Look what he did dis season and last did you see what he did

Why is he not on this list at #2!

Fantastic 2013 season

Yeah he's a one season wonder, or it's just a sophomore slump. You can't deny his 109-Yd Kick-Off TD against Green Bay. He probably only has one good play this season, his run against a the Rams in week 1, but that's about it. His rookie season should be at least 5th to 15th

You put Patterson at 21 are you kidding me put him at #2 he had a really good returns last year and his season was awesome he might have been better then Devin Hester

He's big and powerful but not only that he is fast and strong

Just the way he can dodge tackles and the way he runs

Put him and Gale sayers up in the top 2