Well, folks, let me tell ya, when it comes to talking about them two fellas, Devin Hester and Cordarrelle Patterson, ya gotta sit down and really think about who’s the better one when it comes to returning kicks in the NFL. These two are somethin’ special, but in their own ways, you see. Hester’s been around a lot longer, and Patterson, he’s been makin’ waves too, in his own way. Let me break it down for ya.
Devin Hester: The Legend of the Punt Return
Now, let’s start with Devin Hester, who’s probably the most famous when it comes to returnin’ kicks, especially them punts. This man right here, he’s got a record that nobody’s gonna forget anytime soon. Hester’s the all-time leader with 20 return touchdowns. That’s right, 20! Ain’t nobody else got that many. He also made history when he was with the Chicago Bears, runnin’ back 3,786 yards in punt returns alone. Now, that’s more than 1,000 yards ahead of the next fella on the list. And let me tell ya, his 14.3 yards per return led the whole NFL during his best years, and it’s still somethin’ folks talk about to this day.
But here’s the thing, he didn’t just stop there. Hester’s got some serious speed and quick feet, and he used ‘em well, especially on the big stage. Sure, he didn’t always get the love he deserved when it came time to vote him into the Hall of Fame. But after some waitin’, they finally let him in, where he belongs. Can’t deny a record like his, no matter how you slice it.
Cordarrelle Patterson: The Kick Return King
Now, when it comes to Cordarrelle Patterson, he’s a different kinda player. Patterson’s been around for a while too, but he’s known more for his kick returns than them punts. This man’s got somethin’ special when it comes to kickoffs, I tell ya. He holds the NFL record for most career kickoff returns for touchdowns, with nine of ‘em. And you know what? He’s done it consistently. Three times he led the NFL in kick return average, and two times he led in kickoff return yards. That’s no small feat, my friend.
Patterson’s been around the league a bit more than Hester, playin’ for a few different teams, and he’s still goin’ strong at 33 years old. That’s somethin’ to be proud of in the NFL, where folks’ careers don’t last all that long. But Patterson, he’s been steady and reliable. In fact, just look at his return numbers and tell me he ain’t one of the best to ever do it.
Comparison: Hester vs Patterson
When you start comparin’ these two, it gets a little tricky. Hester, he’s got that punt return record, and you can’t argue with that. But Patterson, he’s been a force on kickoffs, and that’s where his strength lies. Hester’s been more of a return specialist in a sense that his whole career was built around makin’ big plays on punts. Patterson, he’s a little more versatile, playin’ both offense and special teams. But if we’re talkin’ about straight-up returnin’, Hester’s the man for them punts, no doubt about it.
But then again, if you’re askin’ about pure kick return ability, that’s where Patterson shines. He’s a little more well-rounded, and he’s got the numbers to back it up. Nothin’ like watchin’ a man run back a kick for a touchdown, and Patterson’s done it time and time again.
Final Thoughts: Who’s the Better Returner?
At the end of the day, it really comes down to what you’re lookin’ for. Hester’s got the records for punt returns, and that’s a big deal. But Patterson, he’s got the consistency and the long career that’s hard to overlook. If you’re askin’ me, both of ‘em are legends in their own right. Hester’s the king of the punt return, but Patterson’s the real deal when it comes to kickoffs. Ain’t no easy answer to who’s better, but they both deserve a lotta respect for what they’ve done on them special teams.
Tags：[Devin Hester, Cordarrelle Patterson, NFL, kick return, punt return, NFL legends, return touchdowns, kickoff returns]
