Saints safety Sharper breaks NFL's interception-return yards record

Published: Dec 27, 2009 at 06:39 AM

NEW ORLEANS -- Saints safety Darren Sharper set an NFL record for the most interception-return yards in a season.

Sharper set the mark of 376 yards with his ninth interception of the season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Josh Freeman.

With his 21-yard return, Sharper broke the mark of 358 yards set by Baltimore's Ed Reed in 2004.

Sharper entered the season as the NFL's active leader in interceptions. He now has 63, tying him with Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott for sixth all-time.

Sharper said earlier this season that Lott was one of the players he most admired. Sharper also said he would consider it one of the great accomplishments of his career to pass Lott on the interceptions list.

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