In 1987, the NFL’s three-way tie for longest interception return was snapped by San Diego Chargers safety, Vencie Glenn, as he opened the scoring against the Denver Broncos and their MVP-winning quarterback, John Elway. In the end, the Chargers lost to their AFC counterpart, but a record standing 38 years crumbled to the ground. Vencie surpassed the 1942 record set by Bob Smith of 102 yards by a single marker.
For the years following, many came close, but none could surpass Bob’s 102-yards, let alone tie Glenn’s. Only Louis Oliver matched Vencie’s record in 1992, but the Charger stood on the mountaintop as the distance to beat.