Top 10 Return Men of the 90’s

10. Tamarick Vanover

This Kansas City Chief ran back 4 punts and 4 kickoffs between 1995-1999. Legal troubles ended his career early and may be the reason he only comes in at 10 on this list.

9. Michael Bates

This kickoff specialist piled up over 9,000 yards on kickoffs and ran 5 of them back to the house. He also won a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash in the 1992 Olympics.

8. Andre Coleman

Coleman had 5 return touchdowns in 2 years 1994-1995. In Super Bowl XXIX, he set Super Bowl records in kickoff returns and return yards, due in part to Steve Young’s six touchdown passes which led to a blowout loss.

7. Mel Gray

This pure return specialist gained over 13,000 return yards on special teams. Gray was most likely the best kickoff returner of the decade and in 1994, he returned 3 kickoffs for touchdowns. He was also unstoppable in the Sega game NFL ‘95:

6. Via Sikahema

The speedy Super Tecmo Bowl icon logged over 8,000 punt and kickoff return yards to go along with 4 punt return touchdowns in his career. Since retiring, Sikahema took his goal post-punching touchdown celebrations to the octogan and knocked out former MLBer Jose Canseco in 2008 Vai Sikahema vs Jose Canseco.

5. Desmond Howard

Despite being mainly known as Heisman Trophy winner and a bad ESPN college football analyst Wrong Team Des, Howard was an extremely productive return man during his career. He racked up over 8,000 return yards and added 8 punt return touchdowns. His greatest season came with the Packers in 1996 when he returned a punt in the playoffs as well as a kickoff return in the Super Bowl to gain MVP honors.

4. David Meggett

Meggett was very productive in the Giants backfield, but he also excelled as a special-teamer. He scored 8 return touchdowns and had over 8,000 special team yards throughout his career. Unfortunately known for his legal issues off the field, Meggett was a favorite of legendary coach Bill Parcells and played in two Super Bowls with the Big Tuna.

3. Deion Sanders

Primetime was one of the most exciting players in NFL history, fans expected him to score just about every time he touched the ball. Deion is known as one of the greatest cover corners of all time, but early in his career he mad his mark on special teams. In 1992, he led the NFL in kickoff return yards and touchdowns. He is also the only player on this list and any list to return a punt for a touchdown and hit a major league home run in the same week.

2. Brian Mitchell

The NFL’s all time leader in kickoff return and punt return yards definitely gets you on this list. He played 14 seasons, mainly as a return specialist, and his durability helped him to become second in total yards in the history of the game. Mitchell, who scored 13 special team touchdowns, played quarterback in college and was forced to go under the helm in one game during his rookie season when the Eagles injured all of the Redskin’s quarterbacks.

1. Eric Metcalf

Metcalf was probably the most dynamic player of the 90’s and he is the only player in the history of NFL to gain over 7,000 offensive yards and 7,000 special team yards. He scored 55 touchdowns on offense and special teams. 10 of those 55 touchdowns in the decade came from punt returns which puts him at the top of the punt return touchdown list, as well as this list. His 12 special teams touchdowns are second to Brian Mitchell. Metcalf’s greatest game came at home in Cleveland against the Steelers in 1993 when he returned two punts for touchdowns 5 min mark.