Falcons' Devin Hester Sets All-Time Record with 20 Career Return Touchdowns

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester broke off a 62-yard punt-return touchdown in Thursday's 56-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take sole possession of the NFL record for most career return touchdowns, per the Falcons' official Twitter account.

Hester's 20th career return touchdown, which came midway through the second quarter, extended Atlanta's lead to 35-0. The Falcons had taken a 28-0 lead earlier in the quarter when Hester took an end-around for a 20-yard score.

Hester's record-setting score broke a tie at 19 touchdowns with his longtime mentor Deion Sanders. Unlike Sanders, Hester hasn't had the benefit of playing defense, which provides ample opportunities for interception- and fumble-return touchdowns. Of Sanders' 19 return touchdowns, only nine came on special teams.

Hester, on the other hand, has notched each of his 20 return scores on special teams, including an NFL-record 14 punt-return touchdowns. The speedster has added five more on kick returns, and he memorably took a missed field goal the distance in a 2006 game against the New York Giants.

Having played each of his first eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, the 31-year-old Hester has scored 19 of his 20 return touchdowns in a Chicago uniform.

While one of the more memorable players in recent Bears history, Hester admitted after Thursday's game that he'd become unhappy in Chicago because of the team's desire that he solely focus on special teams.

Though still valued mostly for his ability in the return game, Hester does have seven receptions and the one carry through his first three games as a Falcon.