Top 5 Returners in New Orleans Saints History

Now that the Saints have won the Super Bowl, take a look back at the best kick returners in team history. Check out this ranking of the all-time top five kick returners for the Saints.

5. (Tie) John Gilliam (1967, 1968, 1977)

Although the New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl 44, the two most memorable plays in franchise history are Tom Dempsey's 63 yard FG and John Gilliam returning the opening kickoff in team history for a 94 yard TD. Drafted in the second round out of South Carolina State, Gilliam only spent two years in New Orleans (plus a brief stint in 1977). He later appeared in four Pro Bowls as a Minnesota Viking. Click here to see Gilliam's kickoff return against the Rams.

5. (Tie) Rich Mauti (1977-1980, 1982, 1983)

Undrafted out of Penn State, Rich Mauti made the most of his abilities with the New Orleans Saints. A full-time kickoff returner who occasionally returned punts and played wide receiver, Mauti was willing to perform any task the Saints needed. Although he never returned a kick longer than 52 yards, Mauti had his best season in 1980 when he was voted first team All-NFC by Pro Football Weekly after ranking second in the NFL in average yards per kickoff return.

4. Reggie Bush (2006-present)

After dealing with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the first good thing to happen to the New Orleans Saints in 2006 was drafting Reggie Bush out of USC with the second overall pick in the draft. Coming out of college, Reggie Bush was expected to shoulder most of the running game, run pass patterns and return punts. Although Bush has been susceptible to injuries and inconsistency, he has managed to return four punts for TD's in the regular season, as well as one in the 2009 postseason. This makes Reggie Bush the career leader in New Orleans history in punt return TD's. Click here to see Bush's highlights from the Saints vs. Cardinals playoff game.

3. Mel Gray (1986-1988)

Like many Saints players from the pre-Sean Payton era, Mel Gray experienced his greatest success outside of New Orleans. Drafted in the second round of the 1984 NFL supplemental draft after playing in the USFL, Gray returned punts and kickoffs for New Orleans. In his three years with the Saints, Gray became the first player in franchise history to return both a punt and kickoff for a TD. Mel Gray also broke the previous team record for longest punt and kickoff returns. Unfortunately for Saints fans, Mel Gray joined the Detroit Lions in 1989, where he made the Pro Bowl four times and was a three time AP first team All-Pro.

2. Tyrone Hughes (1993-1996)

After letting Mel Gray get away, New Orleans would have to wait until 1993 to get another dynamic returner. In his rookie year out of Nebraska, Tyrone Hughes returned an incredible three kicks (two punts and one kickoff) for touchdowns. This set the franchise record for career kick returns for touchdowns. In fact, Tyrone Hughes led the league in punt return average in his rookie season. That year, he played in the Pro Bowl and was a second team AP All-Pro. Tyrone Hughes would eventually score 5 TD's on returns, which is a New Orleans Saints record. Click here to see highlights of a great game that Tyrone Hughes had in 1995.

1. Michael Lewis (2001-2006)

Michael Lewis is one of the most unlikely stars in NFL history. Born in New Orleans, Lewis did not attend college and played for a number of minor league and arena league teams. However, Michael Lewis is most famous for working as a Budweiser truck driver; hence the nickname "beer man." By the time Lewis began playing in the NFL, he was a 29 year old rookie. Although old in football terms, Lewis had fresh legs and put them to good use for New Orleans. In his time with the Saints, Michael Lewis set the team record for both total punt and kickoff return yardage. In 2002, Lewis made the Pro Bowl and was a first team All-Pro. Click here to see Michael Lewis's greatest highlights as a Saint.

Statistical data found at pro football reference and the NFL's official web site.

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