The 5 best kick returners in the history of the San Francisco 49ers

Often overlooked, the 49ers have nevertheless had some notable return specialists over the years, including these top five.

Return specialists might not be quite as overlooked as punters and even some kickers, but they're still underappreciated.

Especially if they don't occupy significant roles elsewhere on either the offensive or defensive sides of the ball.

The ever-changing nature of the NFL has placed less emphasis on the return game over the years, increasing the number of touchbacks and fair catches in an attempt to cut down on injuries, which is fine.

But it's also helped curtail the rare-but-exhilarating chance of returning a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown.

The San Francisco 49ers have had a few notable return specialists over the years, some who even had a knack for finding the end zone after a special teams play. A few such contributors even managed to be stars elsewhere on the field but contributed highly on the less-celebrated third phase of the game.

Taking into account a player's tenure, numbers in the return game, any individual accolades and some other X-factors, here are the five best return specialists in Niners history.

And we'll be including both kickoff returns and punt returns, too.

49ers' 5 best kick returners in franchise history

There are a few honorable mentions who deserve some praise but don't quite make the top five.

Case in point, did you know Pro Football Hall of Famer Hugh McElhenny had 1,494 kick-return yards during his storied career? He truly could do it all on the gridiron.

Additionally, defensive back Dana McLemore had four touchdowns on punt returns during the heyday years of the 1980s while also owning the franchise record for most punt-return yards with 1,531.

During the 2000s, running back Maurice Hicks amassed 4,242 kick-return yards, which stand as third most in San Francisco history but probably because so many other teams were scoring points in droves over those bad 49ers teams of the decade.

No. 5: Tedd Ginn Jr. (2010-2012)

Wide receiver Tedd Ginn Jr. was more of a return star when he broke into the league with the Miami Dolphins in 2007, but he certainly helped transform the Niners' special teams unit when he joined the fray in 2010, boasting 992 kick-return yards that year along with a punt returned for a touchdown.

One can only wonder if injuries hadn't gotten in the way late in 2011, though, leading to fellow wide receiver Kyle Williams having to return boots in the NFC Championship game that season, which did not go well.

Still, Ginn finished his three years with San Francisco by amassing 2,045 kick-return yards (seventh most in franchise history), 1,113 punt-return yards (fifth most in franchise history) and three touchdowns on returns, too, before going on to become something of a journeyman return specialist for the rest of his pro career.

No. 4: Kermit Alexander (1963-1969)

Long before the days of return specialists, offensive and defensive players would frequently contribute in the return game.

Cornerback Kermit Alexander was known for being a stout defender for the 49ers during the 1960s, but he is also one of the best returners in franchise history, too.

In 1965, he led the NFL with 741 kick-return yards and also had a career-best 262 punt-return yards that season, too, part of the 782 yards returned on punts he had while donning the red and gold.

Despite never finding the end zone on kickoffs, Alexander nevertheless managed 3,271 kick-return yards during his tenure, which is fifth best in Niners history.

No. 3: Joe Arenas (1951-1957)

Going back to the days when players doubled not only on both offense and defense, but on special teams, too, it's impossible to overlook running back/defensive back Joe Arenas, who patrolled Kezar Stadium on all three phases of the game during the 1950s.

Arenas set some notable records at a time when seasons lasted only 12 games, and in 1953, he led the league with an impressive 34.4 yards per kickoff return. Then, in 1956, he had an excellent 801 yards and a touchdown returned off kickoffs, which helped his total of 3,798 kick-return yards during his career, fourth most in franchise history.

The versatile Arenas also boasted 774 punt-return yards and a touchdown during that time, too. And while those figures don't crack the top five, they still need to be factored into him making our list.

No. 2: Dexter Carter (1990-1996)

Running back Dexter Carter never quite materialized into being the heir apparent to one of the greatest rushers in team history, Roger Craig, but the former nevertheless played an integral role on those great San Francisco squads of the early 1990s.

Carter was a force in the return game, particularly in 1994 when the 49ers won the Super Bowl, influenced heavily by his 1,426 total return yards off both punts and kickoffs.

Coming back to the Niners after a brief stint with the New York Jets in 1995, Carter ultimately finished his San Francisco career with 1,213 punt-return yards (fourth most in team history), 4,707 kick-return yards (second most in franchise history) and four touchdowns off returns.

If it weren't for the next player on this list, Carter would easily be the best returner the 49ers have ever had.

No. 1: Abe Woodson (1958-1964)

Alexander joined the fray to help the team move on from star cornerback and perennial Pro Bowler Abe Woodson during the first half of the 1960s, and both players certainly made their marks in the return game, too.

Woodson, however, was notably better than his protégé on both defense and special teams.

The versatile Woodson led the NFL in return statistics for a number of seasons, including 174 punt-return yards in 1960, 1,157 kick-return yards in 1962 and twice having the league's longest return in both 1959 and 1963 by cresting over 100 yards on those particular kickoffs.

Those 1,157 yards during that special 1962 campaign still stand as fourth most in franchise history for a single season.

Additionally, Woodson holds the franchise record for most kick-return yards ever (4,873), and he also had 949 punt-return yards, too, which is currently seventh most.

Tack on a whopping seven special teams touchdowns (Carter had the next most at four), and Woodson is a clear-cut choice for the No. 1 returner in Niners lore.

49ers' 5 best return specialists by stats

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