Top 10 Kansas City Chiefs achievements of all time

6. Dante Hall – Four Straight Games with a Return Touchdown

"“Anything that is unexpected is the X-factor.” – Dante Hall"

Dante Hall, known more appropriately as the “Human Joystick,” was one of the most exciting players in the NFL for a stretch in the early 2000s. You could argue his stretch from 2002 to 2004 was one of the most exciting in franchise history. He wasn’t just a great returner, he was a game changer that could erase an opponent’s lead in a handful of seconds.

Hall was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL draft, a running back out of Texas A&M, with the intention of installing him as the team’s primary returner. He was largely an afterthought in league circles his first two seasons with the team, but began to showcase what his career would be remembered for in the 2002 season.

That season he ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per punt return and lead the NFL in punt return touchdowns with two. He added 23.8 yards per kick return and one kick return touchdown en route to the first Pro Bowl of his career as a return man. His 2002 season was impressive, one most return men would dream of, but his namesake would be awarded largely due to his exploits in 2003.

The 2003 Kansas City Chiefs rocketed out to a 9-0 start and were an early favorite to win the Super Bowl with a potent offense and a capable defense. Their offense was the focal point of their team, but one could argue the special teams kick and punt return units were the most exciting.

Beginning in the second game of the season, Hall returned kicks and punts for touchdowns in an NFL record four straight games. This impressive record culminated in game five against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs trailing by six late in the game, with one of the greatest returns in NFL history.

Hall caught the ball near the Chiefs goal line and sprinted right, only to be met by a horde of would-be tacklers. With speed and agility possessed by few returners in the NFL he reversed field, blockers and would-be tacklers caught in a maelstrom of ferocious collisions, and broke to the open field along the visitors’ sideline. With fists and number ones pumping towards the sky on the field, sideline and in the stands Hall danced into the opponent’s end zone, completing his NFL record with the Chiefs triumphing over their hated rival.

Hall never developed into a great receiver, but he will be remembered for a long time for his captivating return abilities. He was a fan favorite, and his four straight touchdowns are one of the greatest achievements in franchise history.

Note: Dante Hall actually broke two records on that last touchdown. Not only was he the first NFL player to return four kicks for touchdowns in straight games, he became the first NFL player to return seven kicks for touchdowns in 10 games. Finally, he tied a host of others with the most return touchdowns in a single season to that date.