Devin Hester, the record-setting Chicago Bears return, missed in his first bid for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here’s a look back at his ‘ridiculous’ career.
Devin Hester did not make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame the first time he was on the ballot.
Hester had a record of 20 touchdown returns – 14 pitches (also an all-time high), five tee times and one miss – in his 11 NFL seasons, eight times the first of which was with the Bears. A three-time All-Pro, Hester was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s and one of two returning professionals of the NFL’s All-Time 100 Team.
He was among the 15 modern day finalistsup to five of which can be selected for the Hall.
Hester will be the 31st Bears player, coach or administrator to achieve the Hall of Fame – the most in league history. The most recently introduced people are handle the Jimbo Covert attack and last defense Ed Sprinkle, who had two out of 10 seniors’ choices for the centennial special class in 2020 – although the liftoff has been delayed to August 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan Hampton (2002), Richard Dent (2011) and Brian Urlacher (2018) are other Bears introduced in the last 20 years.
Here’s a look back at Hester’s career.
Devin Hester, Bears record return player, failed in first bid for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Devin Hester’s entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is still very likely to happen. That glory will not come this year.
In his first year of qualifying for the Hall, the Chicago Bears’ record returnee was not voted to be housed in Canton, Ohio, the news became official Thursday night. His candidacy will take place in 2023.
10 (plus 1) most memorable plays of Devin Hester’s Bears career, from his first Super Bowl punch to his ‘Forrest Gump’ moment
As Devin Hester awaits word on whether he will be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, here’s a look back at the top moments in the career of the greatest comeback player in the Chicago Bears – and NFL – history.
‘He definitely changed the game.’ Consider the clear case of Devin Hester to be the first returner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – in his first year in the vote for the Old Bear.
With less than a minute to make a second pick in 2006, the Tennessee Titans called Devin Hester. They informed him that they planned to pick him with the 45th pick, congratulated him, and began making travel arrangements to bring him to Nashville.
Suddenly the Titans ended the call, and before time ran out, they flipped a card with the name USC running against LenDale White. Hester shed a few tears, but he was back to himself when the Chicago Bears called 12 picks later and in fact picked him – kicking off the career of the greatest comeback in history NFL.
Top 100 Bears Players Ranking Ever: 19th Place, Devin Hester
Devin Hester hits the ball just outside the right hash of his 16-yard line at Lambeau Field. He caught the ball, took two steps forward, put his left foot, took four steps to the right and turned upwards.
No one touched him as he darted past the Packers’ team. Big blocks of Ian Scott, Todd Johnson and several others broke him, and Muhsin Muhammad and Charles Tillman take care of the last two Packers that take any shots at Hester.
In a flash, the Bears made it 26-0, holding the final score on September 10, 2006. Just as quickly, the rest of the NFL was in serious trouble.
Bears defend in draft, pick Devin Hester in round 2
Instant analysis after the Bears picked Hester, a 5 foot 10, 188 pound return kick/corner, with the 57th (second round) pick of the 2006 NFL to leave Miami? This from the Tribune:
“The Bears were beaten by speed receivers last season, and while Hester won’t push for a job start, the Bears need more options. Hester and (picked Danielal in the previous second round) Manning, can each share a piece in the second leg immediately. ”
Devin Hester won’t slow down, sets a record for most starts in a season
Devin Hester clearly cannot be caught. And in most cases, the bearer who turns with the Bears’ quick kick can’t even be restrained.
The Miami rookie did it again Monday night, returning 94- and 96-yard penalties for touchdowns to mark the Bears’ 42-27 fight against St. Louis Rams.
In the second quarter, Hester set an NFL record with his fifth start for a touchdown in a season, then added the player running 96 yards in the fourth quarter. He had four kickbacks in 225 yards (56.3 yards average). He’s had three goal returns, two kickbacks and one miss in this season’s TD game.
Devin Hester sets a season record with 6th kick return for a touchdown
Devin Hester makes returning the stone so easy. However, the Bears’ Pro Bowl performer insists the art of returning kicks is more challenging than being a top receiver in the NFL.
“I would say that returning skill is harder,” said Hester. “You have (wide receiver) going out, who catches thousands of balls, but the back skill is harder.”
Hester returned the 64-yard ball for a touchdown in Sunday’s 33-25 season-ending win over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. It was his sixth kick back for a touchdown this season (four shots, two starts), setting an NFL season record.
‘Please Let Them Kick It With Me!’: Devin Hester’s Oral History of Super Bowl XLI Return – and the Insurance Group Dare to Stop him
Brian Urlacher didn’t hesitate. Just as the Bears captain and All-Pro quarterback glanced down the lawn and saw the commemorative coin with the helmet facing up, he looked over at referee Tony Corrente, pulling both hands to his chest. four times, then sprint back to the sideline.
The Bears will receive the opening game. Very happy.
Super Bowl XLI was about to begin on a rainy February evening 13 years ago in Miami. And that coin flip win – the Colts’ headstroke Adam Vinatieri was unsuccessful – gave the Bears a golden opportunity to light their most explosive pyrotechnic bonfire.
‘The Bears are who we thought they were!’ An Oral History of a Magical Monday Night
October 16, 2006. Glendale, Ariz. – A little after 9pm Mountain Time, a night’s worth of energy and hysteria turned into disbelief. Around the University of Phoenix Stadium, this newly opened retractable rooftop gem in the desert, one can feel the shock.
Glow from the scoreboard, the final score of the night meant nothing.
Bear 24, Cardinal 23? Really? But how?
The 100 Greatest Moments in Chicago Bears History
In the Bears’ 102-year history, Devin Hester has been part of seven of the franchise’s top 100 moments, as picked by Tribune reporters and editors.
It’s pretty impressive that he’s a second round draft player who focuses on exceptional teams.
Some of the moments lie elsewhere here, but it’s a great ride down the memory lane.
Devin Hester on leaving the Bears: ‘They didn’t call me, weird’
The reunion will take place Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome.
Devin Hester, once the Chicago Bear and now the Atlanta Falcon, faces the organization that drafted him, the team for which he registered 19 regular-season encounters before scoring a 20th NFL record in Week 3 with the Falcons.
Hester was just the return pro in his final season with the Bears. His contract expires in March. And, according to Hester, the Bears aren’t trying to keep him around.
Bears honor Devin Hester and Matt Forte in retirement
Devin Hester has driven to Halas Hall countless times during his remarkable eight seasons with the Bears. On Monday, en route to a retirement ceremony honoring him and former teammate Matt Forte, there was a new element to that old path.
“Normally when I drive here, I’m always late,” Hester said. “It was my first time driving over the speed limit. I had a chance to enjoy the scenery. ”
Finally, long after his arrival in 2006, neither the fine nor the wrath of coach Lovie Smith awaited him.
Devin Hester gets a spot on NFL’s All-Time 100 Team as a return pundit: ‘What an incredible and humbling honor’
Devin Hester’s ridiculous career with the Bears landed him in the NFL’s All-Time 100 Team. Is the Pro Football Hall of Fame the next place for record-setting comebacks?
Hester was named one of the best players in league history, making the prestigious team a pro again. Other pros named include fellow countryman Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, partner Jan Stenerud and Adam Vinatieri and pitchers Ray Guy and Shane Lechler.
https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/13/devin-hester-the-record-setting-chicago-bears-returner-misses-out-in-his-1st-bid-for-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-heres-a-look-back-at-his-ridiculous-career/ Devin Hester, the record-setting Chicago Bears return, missed in his first bid for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here’s a look back at his ‘ridiculous’ career.
