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Redskins: Ranking the greatest kick returners in Washington’s history

By Jonathan Eig

3 DEC 1995: BRIAN MITCHELL #30 OF WASHINGTON DARTS PAST THE BLOCK OF TEAMMATE DARRYL POUNDS #31 AGAINST DALLAS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER AT TEXAS STADIUM IN IRVING, TEXAS. Mandatory Credit: Joe Patronite/ALLSPORT
3 DEC 1995: BRIAN MITCHELL #30 OF WASHINGTON DARTS PAST THE BLOCK OF TEAMMATE DARRYL POUNDS #31 AGAINST DALLAS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER AT TEXAS STADIUM IN IRVING, TEXAS. Mandatory Credit: Joe Patronite/ALLSPORT /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants at FedExField on December 22, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The first kick returned for a touchdown in Washington Redskins history did not happen for the Redskins.

It came in the sixth game of the inaugural season of the Boston Braves, before they changed their nickname to the Redskins, before they moved south to DC. Oran Pape took a kickoff back 90 yards in a 19-6 win over the Staten Island Stapletons.

It began a long and storied history of the Washington Redskins return man, a position that has been manned by Hall-of-Famers and one-hit wonders alike, and has produced some of the most beloved players in Redskins lore. There was Bugsy and there was Speedy. There was Fast Eddie. But only one of those three makes this countdown of the 13 best to ever return kicks for the burgundy and gold.

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