Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 23 Days with Devin Hester

Devin Hester leaves Chicago, retirement, legacy, Hall of Fame Debate

In the NFC South, Hester played on both offense and special teams and in his first season with the team recorded 540 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver alongside a punt return touchdown and a league-leading 1,128 kickoff return yards. The following year was not as productive as Hester suffered turf toe throughout the year and was unfortunately relegated to a pure special teams role. In the return game, Hester managed just under 270 yards total.

Following his two-year stint in Atlanta, Hester signed a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, who used him solely as a kick and punt returner for 12 games. At that point, Hester was released and eventually finished the season on the Seattle Seahawks roster, although he failed to record any stats on offense, defense, or special teams.

After the 2016 season, Hester retired from the NFL following an 11-year career. Over that time, Hester spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he completely rework the team's and league's record books. Hester set a new record for total special teams touchdowns and total non-offensive touchdowns with 20 and has the most career punt return touchdowns with 14. His 2007 season holds the record for most punt return touchdowns in a season with four and for most total return touchdowns in a season with six. He is also one of the few players in league history to have multiple return touchdowns in a single game, a feat that he has accomplished twice.

Today, much of the conversation around Hester involves his potential induction into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Hester is inarguably the best returner that the game has ever seen, but he has failed to be voted in since he became eligible in 2022. Special team members already reside in Canton, Ohio, and the kicking game is a phase equal to offense and defense in that it can either win or lose a game. Hopefully, Hester will in due time be given his gold jacket, but a number of other outlets and organizations have recognized him for his play.

Hester, who won three Special Teams Player of the Year awards in his first five years, was named to the NFL All-Decade team for both the 2000s and the 2010s, as well as a spot on the NFL All-Time 100th Anniversary team. The University of Miami added Hester to their Sports Hall of Fame shortly after his retirement in 2018.

Of course, Hester's historic success on special teams made him a watch on game day. He had a previously unseen ability to completely change a game, whether that includes jumpstarting the offense, scoring most of the points on a slow day, or instantly punishing an opponent from kicking to him after a three and out, there is a reason that Hester is consistently a favorite amongst Chicago Bears fans.

Beyond his talent over an extended period, Hester may be remembered as a Bear for the classic moments he created. The aforementioned return on a missed field goal attempt by the Giants will be known as one of the better acting jobs on the gridiron that the league has seen, and his dominant day against the Arizona Cardinals helped fuel the famous Dennis Green "the Bears were who we thought they were" rant. He will always be remembered as one of the most exciting Chicago Bears players to watch.