Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tyrone Hughes attended the University of Nebraska and became a football hero for his hometown Saints, enjoying a six-year NFL career for three different teams. While his natural position was defensive back, Hughes made his major contributions on special teams, becoming a standout kick returner and punt returner.
Rookie Season
The New Orleans Saints selected Hughes in the fifth round of the 1993 Draft, picking him 137th overall. Hughes didn't get to see the field as a defensive back that season, but he made an immediate impact on special teams. Hughes appeared in all 16 games and returned 37 punts for a league-leading 503 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging a league-best 13.6 yards per return. Hughes also averaged 25.1 yards per kick return, running for 753 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts. His spectacular showing earned him a spot on the 1993 NFC Pro Bowl squad, a rare honor for rookies.
New Orleans
After his remarkable rookie season of 1993, Hughes continued to impress the following year, leading the NFL with 1,556 kick return yards and taking two kicks back for touchdowns. The 1994 season also saw Hughes start five games at defensive back, where he recorded 31 tackles, intercepted 2 passes and returned 2 fumbles for touchdowns.
In 1995, Hughes started only two games at defensive back, recording two more interceptions. But he continued to star on special teams, leading the league for a second straight year in kick return yardage, returning 66 kicks for 1,617 yards. Hughes ran his personal streak to three years in 1996, leading the league with a career-best 1,791 kick return yards.
Chicago
After four successful seasons in New Orleans, Hughes signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears for the 1997 season. In Chicago, Hughes never got a chance to play defense, although he continued to perform on special teams, averaging 7.2 yards per punt return and 23.4 yards per kick return. Yet his performance fell below the team's expectations, and the Bears cut Hughes at the end of the season.
Dallas
When injuries claimed their normal returners, the Dallas Cowboys signed Hughes for the final four games of the 1998 season. He made solid contributions, averaging 9.3 yards on 10 punt returns and 24.9 yards on 11 kick returns. Sadly, it would be Hughes' last season in the NFL. An Achilles' tendon injury damaged his return skills and brought an untimely end to his career.
Records
As of 2010, Hughes owns the NFL record for most kick return yards in a single game, recording 304 yards against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 23, 1996. Hughes scored 2 touchdowns in the game, helping the Saints beat the Rams, 37-34. Hughes also established another NFL record when he led the league in kick return yards for three consecutive seasons from 1994 to 1996.
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