National Football League

Sharper breaks interception return yards record

Published Dec. 27, 2009 6:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

Darren Sharper has set an NFL record for most interception return yards in a season.

The Saints safety set the mark of 376 yards with his ninth interception of the season on 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 for sixth all-time with Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott.

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