Ken Hinton Sets Record for Longest Kick Return in CFL History
They say records are made to be broken. But they aren’t talking about this one. The record I am writing about today is all but certain to remain in the books for as long as there’s a Canadian Football League. Ken Hinton Ken Hinton was born in Los Angeles, California and played his college football...
hey say records are made to be broken. But they aren’t talking about this one. The record I am writing about today is all but certain to remain in the books for as long as there’s a Canadian Football League.
Ken HintonKen Hinton was born in Los Angeles, California and played his college football at San Diego State before joining the British Columbia Lions in 1977. It was during his rookie year that the cornerback made history in the CFL.
On September 24, 1977, the B.C. Lions hosted the Edmonton Eskimos. B.C. was a highly talented team, sitting in first place in the Western Division. In the lead up to the game, Hinton wasn’t even guaranteed to be on the Lions’ star-studded roster. The Lions were trying to make room to get defensive back Rocky Long back in the lineup, and Hinton was considered the favourite to be sidelined to make that possible.
Article by Kent Gilchrist in the Province about Ken Hinton’s 130 yard kick return (26 September 1977).Nevertheless, Hinton, who was one of the fastest defensive backs in the league, certainly showed the 32,419 fans at Empire Stadium why he should play. In the waning minutes of the game, the young speedster caught a wide field goal attempt by Edmonton’s Dave Cutler. Hinton took off from deep in his end zone and returned the ball 130 yards to score a touchdown. The exciting play sealed the deal for the Lions who won the game 30-13.
Article by Wayne Parrish in the Vancouver Sun about Ken Hinton’s 130 yard kick return (26 September 1977).The 130-yard kick return was possible because in those days the CFL’s end zones were 25 yards in length. The end zones were shortened to 20 yards in the 1980s, and with a further reduction to 15 yards in 2027 the record set by Ken Hinton in 1977 will never be broken.
Hinton played nine seasons in the CFL, six of those with the Lions and the other three with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Sources:
The Province, 26 September 1977
The Vancouver Sun, 27 September 1977
The Vancouver Sun, 28 September 1977
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