Chiefs’ Richie James explained why he fielded a punt in the end zone on Sunday
Richie James doesn’t have enough punt returns this season to qualify among the NFL leaders in that category, but he’s been the best Chiefs return man.
James has returned 17 punts in eight games and is averaging 10.4 yards per return. That would put him tied for seventh in the NFL if he had played more games, per Pro Football Reference.
That average includes a noteworthy 10-yard return Sunday in the Chiefs’ 25-17 win over the Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. That one was fielded in the Chiefs’ end zone, and fans couldn’t believe he didn’t let the ball drop for a touchback.
James shared his thinking for the return on X (formerly Twitter).
“I told myself if we called that return i was (going to) field it regardless,” James wrote with a laughing emoji. “He didnt give me the kick i wanted and i was still trying to be aggressive. At the end of it you make a decision and live with it.”
The punt return didn’t end up hurting the Chiefs and they won, so it was just an oddity from the game.
This story was originally published January 2, 2024 at 10:46 AM.
