South Carolina legend Deebo Samuel accomplished something never done before
There are very few players in NFL history quite like Deebo Samuel. The former South Carolina football star is a big-time offensive playmaker for the San Francisco 49ers, but he impacts the game in various ways. Illustrating that fact, Samuel accomplished something on Thursday Night Football that has never been done in NFL history.
Playing against the rival Seattle Seahawks, Samuel logged 117 yards of offense and a 76-yard touchdown grab.
That touchdown, though, was the 20th receiving score of his career. Crossing the goal line meant that he became the first wide receiver in NFL history to score 20 receiving touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns in his career. He scored his 20th touchdown on the ground in the season opener against the New York Jets. Several running backs and players who switched positions (playing both roles during their careers) have reached the 20-20 mark; however, Samuel owns the record for most rushing scores by a true wide receiver.
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Compared to other Gamecocks, Samuel’s 41 NFL touchdowns—he also threw a touchdown back in 2021—are sixth-most behind Dan Reeves (44), Jared Cook (45), Alshon Jeffery (47), George Rogers (54), and Sterling Sharpe (66). 20 receiving scores trail Sidney Rice (30), Robert Brooks (32), Jared Cook (45), Alshon Jeffery (46), and Sterling Sharpe (65). Only Duce Staley (24), Dan Reeves (25), and George Rogers (54) have more touchdowns as a rusher.
During his South Carolina football career, Deebo Samuel was an All-American kick returner and All-SEC receiver despite battling numerous injuries. He is also one of just five non-quarterbacks to score 13 touchdowns in a single season for the Gamecocks. No one else in program history has scored touchdowns on a pass, rush, reception, kick return, and fumble recovery.
