How many onside kicks have been returned for touchdowns in the NFL?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 24, 2026
According to ESPN, it's just the seventh time in the last 20 years an onside kick has been returned for a TD. Homer's kickoff return isn't the shortest in NFL history. Jason Sehorn of the Giants had a 38-yarder in 2000, oddly enough against the Jaguars.
How many onside kicks have been returned?
So far in the 2021 NFL season, just six onside kicks have been recovered out of 39 attempts. Austin Seibert from the Detroit Lions had two of his onside kicks recovered with Ka'imi Fairbairn, Justin Tucker, Brandon McManus and Riley Dixon, all with one each.
How many onside kicks have been successful in the NFL?
In 2017, teams recovered 12 of 57 onside kicks, a success rate of 21 percent; the Miami Dolphins alone recovered 4 of 5 onside kicks. In 2018, the first year after the kickoff rule changes, teams recovered 4 of 52 onside kick tries.
Has there ever been an onside kick returned for a touchdown?
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde returns the onside kick for a touchdown.
When was the last time a kickoff was returned for a touchdown?
Dustin Harris accounted for the last one, going 96 yards for a touchdown against South Carolina State on Sept. 22, 2012. Coryell Judie turned in the last kickoff return for a score, going 84 yards at Baylor on Nov. 13, 2010.
17 related questions foundHow many return touchdowns did Devin Hester have?
Dubbed “The Windy City Flyer,” Hester flew into the record books. He holds a number of NFL records, including most combined special teams return touchdowns (20), most punt return touchdowns (14), most punt return touchdowns in a season (4), and fastest touchdown in Super Bowl history (14 seconds).
Can the kicking team return an onside kick?
The kicking team may only recover and retain possession of the kicked ball, but not advance it. The kicking team must not interfere with an attempt by a player of the receiving side to catch the ball on the fly.
When was the onside kick invented?
The first reference to an onside kick appears to have taken place before there was the SEC, which was founded in 1932. Vanderbilt, then a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is credited with the first successful onside kick on Nov. 12, 1921.
Can you return your own onside kick?
While it is a very uncommon occurrence, the kicker is in fact allowed to recover an onside kick. The rules of football dictate that only players who are in line with or behind the kicker can recover an onside kick and allow their team to maintain possession, and this rule grants this ability to the kicker as well.
How many onside kicks were successful in 2021?
Success of The Onside Kick
As of this writing in 2021, 18.6% of attempted onside kicks have been recovered, making special teams plays even more interesting down the stretch. Last week, we saw onside kicks recovered by the Giants, Cardinals, Ravens, and the Bears.
What percentage of onside kicks are successful in college football?
Onside kicks are wonderful when they work, of course, but they also have a notoriously low success rate. According to data from the football think tank The 33rd Team, onside kicks were successfully recovered by the kicking team 23.8% of the time in college football games between 2014-2020.
How far does an onside kick have to go?
Under the rules of the onside kick, the ball has to travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team can recover it. Since Zuerlein kicked off from the 35-yard line, that means the Cowboys weren't allowed to touch the ball until it reached the 45-yard line.
Do onside kicks have to hit the ground?
Onside Kick Strategy
The onside kick formation, on the other hand, puts players in the best position to recover the ball, but the receiving team will know the attempt is coming. The kicker will normally hit the ball directly into the ground with topspin to one side of the field.
How does an onside kick work in the NFL?
The onside kick is the term American football referring to a kick where the kicking team intentionally shoots the ball a short distance through the kickoff for the receiving team. Usually, they will kick directly to the ground to bounce the ball.
Who has the most kick-return touchdowns in the NFL?
Devin Hester has the most career touchdown returns, with 20 touchdown returns.
How many special teams touchdowns does Devin Hester have?
Hester, on the other hand, has notched each of his 20 return scores on special teams, including an NFL-record 14 punt-return touchdowns.
What was Devin hesters longest kick-return?
As a rookie with the Chicago Bears in 2006 Devin Hester tied an NFL record for longest return, a mark that has since been eclipsed. He scooped up the football on a missed field goal attempt and raced 108 yards for a Bears touchdown on Nov. 12, 2006. This is the jersey Hester wore and the ball he returned on the play.
How often is 4th and 15 converted?
Teams were 4-for-31 on fourth-down attempts of 15 yards or more in 2020, a conversion rate of 12.9%.
What is a squib kick in football?
Definition of squib kick
: a kickoff in football in which the ball bounces along the ground.
Are squibs muggles?
A Squib, also known as a wizard-born, was a non-magical person who was born to at least one magical parent. Squibs were, in essence, "wizard-born Muggles". They were rare and were looked upon with a degree of disdain by some witches and wizards, particularly pure-bloods.
How many seconds does a squib kick take off the clock?
The Bills could have squib kicked the ball and given the Chiefs less time (taking approximately four or five seconds off the clock) but potentially better field position.