A 296-pound defensive lineman produced the Green Bay Packers’ last fumble return for a touchdown.
Surprising? Maybe not. All four of the fumble return touchdowns over 60 yards in team history have come from a defensive lineman.
The Packers’ last fumble return for a touchdown? Dean Lowry’s 62-yard return for a score during the Packers’ Week 13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017.
Lowry’s return was the third-longest fumble return for a touchdown in team history, trailing the 88-yard return by Keith McKenzie in 1998 and the 70-yard return by Mike Butler in 1970. Henry Jordan, another defensive lineman, produced a 60-yard return for a touchdown in 1964.
Lowry’s only career score gave the Packers a 17-7 lead over the Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on Dec. 3, 2017.
Here’s video of the play:
Lowry caught Jameis Winston’s fumble, turned toward the north end zone and galloped his way in for the score without a Buccaneer in close proximity. Kenny Clark’s pressure created the fumble. Once in the end zone, Lowry wasted no time picking out his spot and leaping into the Lambeau Field crowd.
The Packers’ last fumble return for a touchdown by a defensive player before Lowry’s score was Casey Hayward’s 49-yard return in 2014.
The Packers produced at least one fumble return for a touchdown every season between 2006 and 2015, a span of 10 seasons. Over the last four seasons, the Packers have just two, including none in the last two seasons.
When was it series
Last punt return for touchdown
Last interception return for touchdown
Last kickoff return for touchdown
Last 90-yard touchdown pass