Ted Ginn wins special teams player of the week for third time

By Michael David Smith

September 17, 2014

No matter where he goes, Ted Ginn Jr. is a dangerous kick returner.

Ginn, the Cardinals’ punt and kickoff returner, was named the NFC special teams player of the week award today. It’s the third time Ginn has been named special teams player of the week — with the third different team. Ginn won AFC special teams player of the week with the Dolphins in 2009, when he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns against the Jets, and won NFC special teams player of the week with the 49ers in 2011, when he returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown against the Seahawks.

This week Ginn got the award for a 71-yard touchdown that helped the Cardinals beat the Giants. The Cardinals were trailing with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Ginn raced through the Giants’ punt team and into the end zone to give Arizona a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“Once I get into the open field, it would be kind of bad if someone ran you down from the back,” Ginn said. “I’m supposed to have world class speed. I just get into the open field and let my legs do the rest.”

The 29-year-old Ginn has 7,920 career return yards, putting him 18th in NFL history.