Interception return officially changed following review by Elias Sports Bureau; Longest by NFL rookie since 1926
Allen Park, Mich.- Detroit Lions rookie S Louis Delmas' interception return for a touchdown Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (12/20) was officially changed to 101 yards following review by the Elias Sports Bureau. The 101-yard interception return is the longest by a rookie since 1926 (Columbus RB Pete Barnum, 103t at Canton 9/26/26). It ranks as the longest by a Lions rookie in team history and is tied for the second longest in franchise history.
By scoring on an interception return, Delmas became the first rookie in league history and second player ever (Los Angeles Rams LB Rod Martin, 1984) to score on an interception return, fumble return and a safety in one season. The fumble return for a touchdown occurred on opening day at New Orleans (9/13) and the safety was recorded on Thanksgiving against Green Bay (11/26). An interception, fumble return and safety are the only three scoring opportunities for a player on a defensive play.
All three defensive scores occurred against teams who have either clinched division titles (New Orleans and Arizona) or who are currently in position for a Wild Card spot (Green Bay). Delmas is also the only rookie to score on a fumble return this season.
Delmas, the Lions second round pick (33rd overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft, is one of the league's top defensive rookies. He has scored more defensive points than any rookie in the league this year and is second overall to New Orleans S Darren Sharper (18 points on three interception returns). In Lions history, his 14 points in a single-season rank second only to Hall of Fame CB Lem Barney in 1967 (18 points on three interception returns). Barney, the Lions second round pick in 1967, was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Delmas' 101-yard interception return was only the third 100-yard interception return by a rookie in NFL history, with the last recorded by Dallas S Mike Gaechter (100 yards) vs. Philadelphia on October 14, 1962.
As compiled by NFL.com press box statistics, Delmas ranks first among rookie defensive backs and third among all rookies with 82 tackles (including special teams tackles). His 79 defensive tackles currently ranks second on the Lions' defense.
For the month of September, Delmas was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month. He was the first Lions player to earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors after starting all three games at free safety and recording 17 tackles, three passes defensed and scoring on a 65-yard fumble recovery. Delmas' 17 tackles led all rookie defensive backs and he ranked third overall among NFL rookies. Delmas is the fourth Lion to be recognized as an NFL Rookie of the Month, joining Kevin Jones (Offense, December 2004), Roy Williams (Offense, September 2004) and Charlie Batch (Offense, October 1998). He was also nominated for NFL Defensive Player of the Month in November.
NFL Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Tm-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Pete Barnum-Col (Columbus Tigers)-103t-Can (Canton Bulldogs)-9/26/26
2-Louis Delmas-Det-101t-Arz-12/20/09
3-Mike Gaechter-Dal-100t-Phi-10/14/62
Lions Leaders, Longest Interception Return
Rk-Player-Yds-Opp-Date
1-Bob Smith-102t-ChiB-11/24/49
2t-Bryant Westbrook-101t-NE-11/23/00
2t-Louis Delmas (Rookie)-101t- Arz -12/20/09
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