Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his outstanding performance in Chicago Sunday.
Sherels averaged 25.7 yards on three punt returns, including one that he took back 65 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter of the Vikings 23-20 win over the Bears.
65 yards –> UNTOUCHED.
Pro Tip: Do not kick punts to Marcus Sherels. #MINvsCHI https://t.co/ow607iuINV— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2015
Sunday’s touchdown was the third of Sherels’ career – moving him to the top of the Vikings record books.
The Rochester, Minnesota, native is regarded as one of the top punt returners in the league. For the season, he is averaging 11.5 yards per return, ranking him fifth.
Sherels had a 77-yard return for a touchdown against Detroit on Sept. 30, 2012. He also ran back a punt 86-yards for a score against the Giants on Oct. 21, 2013.
It’s interesting to note that Sherels also has a franchise-record five punt returns of 50 or more yards and as of Wednesday became the first Vikings punt returner to ever win the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week Award.
While Sherels is the first Vikings punt returner to win the award, he joins an impressive list of teammates who have won it in recent seasons.
- Adam Thielen vs. Carolina, 11/30/14
- Blair Walsh, at GreenBay, 11/24/13
- Cordarrelle Patterson, vs. Green Bay, 10/27/13
- Blair Walsh vs. Green Bay, 12/30/12
- Blair Walsh, at St. Louis, 12/16/12
- Blair Walsh vs. Jacksonville, 9/9/12
